Danika's Big Year 2020

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dannyka6
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Century not out :) And don't worry about being the wooden spooner Dale, slow and steady wins the race :)

A general question on numbering, when I go in to a post to add numbering, how do I do it?? The photos are all down below, and the text box is up above so I can't number them in context like others have done...? Thanks in advance.

sue818
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It seems you can no longer use hard returns to separate text and pictures. You can separate links as some of us are doing. So the only option seems to be numbers first (with names if you can) followed by photos. Sorry but I cannot see any other way so why not just start from where you are now?

Well done on reaching the century!

dannyka6
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Thanks Sue. I'm adding photos as files so they seem to be adding altogether and as you note I can't separate them. I don't have links that I can add because I simply don't have any of my photos anywhere I can link from eg. Flickr. So I'll just put all the numbers and names at the top and assume you can all follow along!

dannyka6
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Well I've had a bit of a lull in posting but I have collected a couple of photos across the last month. To clarify, can I include birds that are free-flying birds in a zoo/wildlife park? Thanks

Replacement Grey Fantail

101) White-throated Treecreeper

102) Australian Ibis

103) Nankeen Nightheron

Replacement Moorhen

sue818
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Welcome back! Good to see more posts and love the young birds.

Firstly to answer your question: if you mean birds flying within the park boundaries but free to fly out again, then they are eligible to count. However, birds enclosed within a free-flight aviary would not be suitable.

I also think your last photo of a Striated Heron is actually a young Nankeen Night-heron as it lacks the black cap. However, still working on my eyes post surgery so await a second opinion.

Hope that is of some help.

Devster
Devster's picture

Good to see you posting again danny. Agree with Sue on both accounts. Ok to post wild birds in a Zoo sancturary as long as they are free to leave. For example up at Australia Zoo there are quite often Nankeen Night-herons around the Brolga and Jabiru area that would count as they are wild. However the Brolga and Jabiru wouldn't count as they are part of the exhibits and are unable to leave.

Also Sue is correct. That is a young Nankeen Night-heron not a Striated Heron. Easy to get confused though as they look nothing like their parents.

Alex Rogers
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Some nice shots Danny, love the two heron shots. Had to look the juvenile Nankeen up, agree with Sue & Dev, its definitely a juvenile Nankeen not a Striated. I've never seen a juvenile, would almost definitely have called it a Striated too if I hadn't checked. Nice shot. The shot of the adult is also lovely. 

dannyka6
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Okay thanks guys, I'll remove the juvenile Night-Heron...funnily I initially thought it was a juvenile as I have seen them before and realise that they don't look like the parents, but later changed my mind to Striated Heron. I'll have to look further afield, cheers Danika.

dwatsonbb
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Agree with the others, your getting some great photos of lovely species. Thanks again for posting.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dannyka6
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Sometimes you're out and about and all you have is your phone! And it's quite frustrating but what can you do?? So here are a couple of poorer shots but in they go to make up the count

104) Straw-necked Ibis - to make it worse it was raining!

105) Rock Dove - almost a cool shot, would've been better on an SLR

Devster
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You got to do what you got to do danny.

BTW I couldn't see any White Ibis or Sacred Ibis but there are a lot of Straw-necked Ibis there

dannyka6
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I thought Sacred and Straw-necked were the same thing but maybe not?

dwatsonbb
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Take what you can get when you can Danika, you never know if another opportunity will present. Maybe an upgrade at some stage? having said that, I'd be happy to see the Ibis, and the Rock Dove is a nice photo, with the other bird in flight as well (presume another Rock Dove).

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

sue818
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Great to see you getting out and about, Danika. Your Ibis are Straw-necked Ibis as suggested. I don't believe that there are any Sacred Ibis in Australia as they seem to be African; the closest in looks is the Australian White Ibis. No problems capturing an image on your phone ... it could be something really exciting and your only proof. Keep them coning.

dannyka6
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When I was growing up we called what I now know are Straw-necked Ibis, Sacred Ibis, I just assumed it was a common name. I've fixed it up. Just like we always used Bellbird to describe what I now know are Bell Miners. 

dannyka6
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A walk around Lysterfield Lake today to stop me feeling housebound! This yielded a lovely White-eared Honeyeater, excuse the horribly exposed photo.

And I realise looking back at some photos from last week that there's actual another addition from Rickett's Point Marine Sanctuary, that I overlooked at the time because I thought I already had it!! Shouldn't write them off so easily, nearly missed it!

And some replacement photos that I had fun with - enjoy!

106) White-eared Honeyeater

107) Pied Cormorant

Replacement Greater Crested Tern, one serious and one for laughs

sue818
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Yes, that happens. I called them Bellbirds. Not sure if that was just a common name or if official names were updated or even if I have just become more exact in my naming. Keeps us learning.

dwatsonbb
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Love the Tern photos, to capture a bird in flight not once but twice, and the posture of the 2nd is gold.  I note they are 2 different birds (different head markings), were there a few around? The White-eared Honeyeater would be a new one for me. I also like the contrast from land to water in your Cormorant shot.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dannyka6
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I forgot to add one more replacement photo: Crested Grebe - a super cute find today at Lysterfield Lake

Devster
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The White-eared Honeyeater would be a new one for me as well. That Tern photo is a classic. I do love the Great Australian Gebes. Well done

sue818
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Love that Crested Tern shot and the Great Crested Grebe but the White-eared Honeyeater is also a nice find. Good to see you finding so many interesting birds.

dannyka6
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In my boredom and with no birding outings thanks for Covid-19 living restrictions, I've taken to neighbourhood replacement shots so here goes! These are from Blackburn South, 3130, either in my street or on the "fitness" walks I've taken up as of yesterday that happen to require a camera!

Musk Lorikeet, Galah pair (note the different coloured eyes), Crested Pigeon, Magpies, Grey Butcherbird, Pacific Black Duck fun shot, Noisy Miner poking its tongue out!, Rainbow Lorikeet posing.

No new records, can't wait to get out again ASAP!!

dwatsonbb
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If you are/were like me, all my exercise comes from either birding or working, so I expect the belt might need to be let out, hard to get enough exercise when you not excited about it.

Great photos. Love the duck and the Noisy, but they all good quality photos, thanks for posting and stay safe.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

sue818
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Good to see some birds are around in your area. Not a bird in my yard today; overcast and rain threatening. The action is down the street in a neighbour's yard witha huge flowering gumtree. Might have to trim my trees to promote some new growth and flowers.

Great to see some birds form you but stay safe.

dannyka6
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Well finally one more to add to the tally, a completely accidental find in the dark on our exercise walk therefore no proper camera, and terrible quality, but nevertheless:

108) Tawny Frogmouth - our backyard tawnys abandoned us just as the challenge began so I've been looking out for these ever since and finally we found this just around the corner, but it isn't one of ours

dwatsonbb
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I'd be happy with that, just to get another bird on my list. Been pretty quiet around here, only the odd blackbird, even the Superb Fairy Wrens are staying home.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dannyka6
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One more for the tally, slowly we creep along...I folded today and took my camera on my exercise walk. It was just such a beautiful day and its been sooo long since I've been birdwatching. I walked 6km to the lake and back to do the lake walk so it was for exercise too, my excuse. I finally managed to get that elusive photo I've been chasing...its not great, so I'll be looking for a replacement later when I can do this properly.

109) Spotted Pardalote - the upside down inside out view

dannyka6
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Dandenong Wetlands/Dandenong Creek Parklands

So EXCITED!!! Today is the first day that we are allowed to go hiking, and do sports (I'm including birdwatching) in groups of up to 10!!! So I hit up a girlfriend and her little fella and we went lickety split for a wetland! And it was indeed wet, it having rained 8 days out of the week lately. 

So here are a couple more for my list that I proudly present to you, from covid-19 restriction level "More to my liking" and "Hopefully still safe enough"!!

110) Red-rumped Parrot

111) Flame Robin - the display put on by this pair of robins was spectacular, I wish I had better photos to share. It was awesome to see these 2 so early in the season

I've thrown in a replacement Straw-necked Ibis shot as they were hanging around all over the place

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Lucky you, our restrictions are easing slowly, but not enough to get anywhere decent yet. Some nice photos of some nice birds. Thanks for keeping the posts coming, I am hoping to get out soon and build my tally - was hoping for 100, should make it. Hopefully spring will bring me some luck.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dannyka6
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Eynesbury State Forest, Grey Box remnant bush, 16th May

So our bird photography group that has had to pause our activities since March had a pre-planned outing for this Saturday that no one originally thought would happen, but since restrictions opened up so that 10 people can get together to participate in "sporting activities" from this last Wednesday, our organiser put out an expression of interest and got swamped!! 3 little groups of 7-9 people spread at 1.5m intervals throughout the bush for 3.5 glorious hours of perfect though chilly sunshine and I have never been so excited to go birdwatching with my fellow birdwatchers!!! 

A thrilling lifer in the form of several little flocks of Blue-winged Parrots was a terrific win for me, and there were plenty of other good finds although the overall activity wasn't high. Enjoy, and I hope you are all able to slowly get back into birding soon too. I knew I was missing it, but I had no idea how much! Being out in the bush all day looking at birds just can't be replaced by anything else.

112) Blue-winged Parrot

113) Brown Treecreeper

114) Striated Pardalote

115) Little Eagle

116) Golden Whistler

117) Purple-crowned Lorikeet - a very exciting catch, albeit a terrible photo looking up past its butt to its face! But I got it!! 

And a couple of replacement shots: Chestnut Teal shining in the sun, a Willie Wagtail and a Whistling Kite right overhead

karentwemlow
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So great you've been able to get back out and about, inspiring the rest of us perhaps? I have been going out locally as I usually do, bushwalking and bike riding. But no new birds to add. This was to be my year of doing my birdwatching away from home.... but so far that hasn't worked out!

I've been adding your sightings to a running tally, can you double check your numbers as I have 117 for you rather than 118. I think the culprit is a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper added on 5/2 and again on 7/2 but if you can check and confirm that would be good. I can update if things are wrong my end too, just let me know.

And on that note I am going to go for a walk with the camera, just in case there's a new bird out there waiting for me....

dannyka6
dannyka6's picture

You are quite right, I just did a search on my Excel spreadsheet and its in there twice! Sorry about that! I'll remove the second one and then we'll agree on 117.

Definitely try to get out a bit further from home if your restrictions allow it, it was so nice to see new birds!!

dannyka6
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Just a replacement Golden Whistler after my efforts on Saturday weren't so successful. I tried very hard today to come up with a Buff-Rumped Thornbill shot but nothing, got great views through the thicket with my binoculars though...I'll try to be satisfied with that!

sue818
sue818's picture

So pleased to hear that you managed an outing with fellow birders and had some great finds... Little Eagle and Purple-crowned Lorrikeets! Well done! Not much around my backyard and the local places a bit quiet as well, so come June, I hope to get further afield. Hope to see more from you soon.

dannyka6
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118) White-plumed Honeyeater

Also replacement Gray Shrike thrush and Swamp Harrier

dannyka6
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119) White-winged Chough: typical portrait shot, then the reason they are called "white-winged" as 2 birds got into a kerfluffle/hot headed/something...just wish they weren't under the bush

120) Weebill

Replacement shot that I've been DYING to get all year: Male Golden Whistler

dwatsonbb
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Nice work, some lovely birds there. Heard my first Golden Whistler the other day, but  booed if I could see it.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Devster
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Nice photos. I wondered why they called them White-winged Choughs when they were black

dannyka6
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Back to Woodlands, couldn't resist the call of the robins and got 3 species today although only 1 is new to my count. But it was a fabulous photography day even if I missed on the male Rose Robin so I'm replacing a few shots, bear with me...

121) Red-capped Robin, female - the male will be there sometime I hope

Replacement shots:

Weebill

Striated Pardalote

Spotted Pardalote

Flame Robin, male

Rose Robin, female

sue818
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Well done, love that Flame Robin. Great you have been able to get out & about now. I am venturing west tomorrow so fingers crossed!

dannyka6
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good luck, hope the weather stays for you!

dwatsonbb
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Nice work, now that we are freeing up in Tassie, hoping to get out soon. Got a couple to sort from last week and today, nothing flash, but hopefully building onward and upward.

It wil be nice to see some more species coming our way.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dannyka6
dannyka6's picture

A beautiful day although freezing in the shady so we headed for some birding and although our total species count wasn't that high, it was highly rewarding as you will see!! Including one lifer for me

122) Bassian Thrush - I've never seen a thrush stand out in the open for so long, we spent several minutes creeping closer and it didn't seem to care at all until we were within a few metres. There were others during the day in deep shade, difficult foliage etc as usual but this one was very thoughtful of us

123) While we were looking for other Bassian Thrush, a female Superb Lyrebird just wandered by! No noise, no fuss, just going about her business. We did hear a male later making lots of fuss but couldn't get close

124) A thrilling lifer for me was the Olive Whistler. In year of birdwatching I have never seen one and this one just popped up, again when we were looking at a Bassian Thrush! What a little delight. Sadly the sun was well in the wrong place so the photo isn't great but in the flesh it was lovely

125) Gray Currawong - a graceful creature that stayed and posed for lots of photos before flying away

Replacement shots: Australian Kingparrot, Crimson Rosella

dannyka6
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Two days out in the week has kept me busy but there were Gang Gangs to be found at Banyule Flats according to some Facebook groups so a friend and I went along to take our chances and got lucky! Although we weren't there in peak feeding time we saw 7 birds and they weren't too fussed about us at all. Along the way, we chanced to find 5 Pink-Eared Ducks at the swamp!! A beautiful bonus!! 

126) Gang Gang Cockatoo

127) Pink-Eared Duck

sue818
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Beautiful & a successful couple of days, Danny. Look forward to viewing them on a bigger screen. Love Gang Gangs! 

Devster
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Wow you have 3 lifers for me there too! Especially love the Gang Gang. It is very rare to see a Bassian out in the open like that

dannyka6
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This weekend we went away for the weekend, for the second time since covid-19 arrived! It feels so luxurious to go away! This time it was planned around birdwatching at Rise and Shine, a reserve near Newstead in central Victoria on an old gold mining field. If you don't fall in an old shaft, its delightful! Great tracks, very nice birds, and a lovely group of birdwatchers with a bent to photography. With a 100% outlook for rain, we were thrilled that we didn't get any rain all day and came away with some nice birds. It was even nicely sunny for the first 30min. 

128) Fuscous Honeyeater

129) Yellow-tufted Honeyeater

130) Jacky Winter

131) Restless Flycatcher

Then we went 4wding through Muckleford and Quince Tree near Gower and found beautiful

132) Scarlet Robins.

Today's agenda was a walk through the Castlemaine Botanic Gardens which was so worthwhile. The birds are so tame, there are so many types and sizes and the gardens themselves are lovely. 

133) Great Cormorant

We had the excitement of finding a male Rose Robin!! So I'm replacing my old photo

And I'm excited that I saw the Red-Capped Robin male this week as well as more Flame Robins, it has been quite the week for robins, so I'm popping in a replacement photo. 

sue818
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A wonderful selection of birds, Danny. Birding groups sometimes know brilliant places for finding a variety. Keep them coming.

dannyka6
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Another day, a birding friend's birthday, what choice did I have but to go birding with her?? We hit an urban park which gave us some surprising numbers and types of birds, and a beautiful aqueduct trail with more exotic birds but they were harder to get and the light was awful.

134) House Sparrow...somehow, my friend reminded me, I don't have one of these yet! One of those birds that just fly under the radar but are cute in their own way and were prolific today at the urban park

135) Varied sitella - I've been chasing this one, and this is a horrible photo. I will get a better one! Back to the aqueduct another day

136) Striated Thornbill - finally!! One of my favourites and I finally got a decent shot

sue818
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Well done, it is also great to get a new bird.

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