Eight standouts for July in the Common

Eight birds stand out from the rest caught by the camera in July: Brown Falcon, Spangled Drongo, Dusky Moorhen, Golden-headed Cisticola, Grey Fantail, Magpie Goose, Nankeen Kestrel, Willie Wagtail. Here's hoping for even better in August - and an end to rain so we get more migratory species dropping in later in the year. 

Grabbing, tearing, probing - unmoving

Three ways of catching some protein and wee portions of other nutrients, seen in the Townsville Town Common lately. Nankeen Kestrel flew from low perch, grabbed grasshopper or locust on the ground and carried it into the sky to feed on the wing (on not off, because insect wings are often discarded).

Australian Raven has torn spider nest from Corymbia tessellaris and followed or carried it down to roadside. The birds use road because spiders inside are easier to find on or hiding under road metal. I believe Torresian Crows, supplanted by the ravens in recent years, don't share the passion for such fare.

Spangled Drongo tears into gumtree bark that has split apart after last year's hot fires through the park. Lost track as it flew off but probably a caterpillar went with it and would not have lasted long.

Meantime Brahminy Kite disdained any such grabbing, tearing and probing, unmoving above the Silver Gulls grabbing slivers of discarded bait as beach fisher at Pallarenda refreshed his hooks. Though the kite is much more a scavanger than, say, the Osprey.

Nankeen Kestrel worth a few thousand . . . words!

If one picture's worth a thousand words what price a whizzo series of four? Nankeen Kestrel, sometime acquaintance of mine, on the Town Common, Townsville two mornings ago.

Life's looking up - much still in the air

Life's looking up! Lockdown's lifting! Much, though still up in the air. So, casting eyes skyward: Nankeen Kestrel about to make light of large grasshopper.

Blue-winged Kookaburra flashing across field of view, and taking off treewards.

Yellow-throated Miner quitting low perch.

Black-eared Cuckoo, second only listing of species in Townsville Town Common Conservation Park, on wing and shadowed perch.

Carpet Python close to touching sky, high in Leighhardt tree in Ross River Bush Garden.

And, down to earth, young pig reveals air of suspicion when met gobbling on greens in the park.

Female Blue-winged Kookaburra masters bill and coup

Old female friend crashed in on recent morning scout for early birds at entry to Townsville Common. Sudden rush of wings, rustling in bushes and Blue-winged Kookaburra emerged with breakfast firmly lodged in long-broken bill.

She's not merely a survivor but appears to be queen of a territory centred on the entry gate. But even so familiar a sight has - along with other kookaburras - been less often on show lately, perhaps because Forest Kingfishers are about in considerable numbers and outcompeting their larger cousins.

Hard by the entry gate, and  escaping the attention of predators (bar those with neat little new waterproof, shockproof microscopic-function cameras), Large Brown Mantid hangs around for a minute before returning to dangling upside down under fig leaves awaiting passing prey.

Upside down because sitting about on branches is not such a good idea. It's one thing to have a neat little new etc. etc. poked right in your face, it's altogether another as a vulnerable Green Treefrog to catch the eye of a passing raptor.

Today, saw the plunge, saw the frog grabbed, saw the munching in shadowy tree, but caught only distant images of immature Brahminy Kite sitting around before launching after another foray aloft.

Also saw immature Australian Hobby not so far away thinking about another fast circuit over and through the trees seeing what it could swoop upon.

Not so far away, Nankeen Kestrel coming in all flaps up after a sweep above the rampant para grass in the same area.

Good thing it's only someone with a neat new little etc. etc that uncovered Huntsman Spider's loose-bark hiding place today and not something hungrier for more than closeups.



 

Dollarbird launches into feeding flurry

Watch out, insects, here I come!

Young Dollarbird sets off after aerial prey. Bird was one of four in feeding flurry with several other species near Townsville Common gate yesterday.

All the Dollarbirds showed the dull plumage of immaturity, with more colour to come before they head off to Papua New Guinea about April.

Fiendishly difficult trying for flight pictures as the birds zigzgged the sky chasing their invisible (to me) food. One fuzzy image from hundreds of shutter clicks.

Also hunting in the air yesterday, Nankeen Kestrel, clutching small catch.

Willie Wagtail takes reverse approach: on ground for catch, toss it up, ready for final swallow.

Life's perks are walks in the parks

Life's a walk in the park these days. Well, more accurately, in the parks. And there's driving too, but you get the picture(s).

Pheasant Coucal seldom so still as this male which emerged from stand of bamboo before deciding to take to cover again.

Laughing Kookaburra barely has time for giggle with three impatient mouths to feed tucked away shyly and slyly in the shadows.

Unlike parent and immature Magpies on the hunt together. Though junior still having trouble telling wheat from chaff, so to speak.

Meanwhile female Wood Duck continues to walk alone, unable or unwilling to fly. Nor will it take to water if approached too closely, preferring to walk away quickly even when there's a pond close by.

But Mrs Magpie Goose knows where she wants to be. Bang in middle of small lotus pond bang in middle of big park, bang in middle-ish of city. Her only problem appears to be sister/aunt/midwive persisting in sharing nest platform and walking over sitter, until honked out of it.

Robin best in rainforest chase

Two perfect mornings at start of week! So, off to Wallaman Falls under bright blue sky yesterday to chase little birds in the rainforest.

Pale-yellow Robin (Tregellasia capito) best of dodgy pictures. Species seen only partially, and high up in towering trees, included Golden Whistler, Large-billed Scrubwren, Topknot and Wompoo Pigeons, Spotted Catbird, and Yellow-breasted Boatbill.

Earlier in the day found this Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) soaring away after being pestered by Willie Wagtail.


Headed to the beach today, hoping for raptors fishing. Osprey, White-bellied Sea Eagle seen at distance. Brown Goshawk grabbing at tidal debris close to picnic area trees!

But only this Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis) flew within camera shot.