Another walk new to me was at Knocklofty Reserve, 5 minutes from Hobart CBD, with spectacular views. Not alot of new birds to ad, but here is a couple of photos, which you will hopefully enjoy.
86. Tawny Frogmouth - always a joy to spot, found this one because the was abundant poo on the track, looked up and hidden in the foliage was this lovely. I have probly 50 photos af the same pose!!
Not a bird, but a little beauty pointed out to me by a young boy, maybe 8 walking with mum. - a Mountain Dragon - a very small skink, and one of only a few egg laying skinks found in Tasmania. This little one maybe 10cm long.
89. Noisy Miner - I know these are not the most popular, but we don't have them where I live south of Hobart, so I have to travel to the other side of town (about an hour) to find them. Several photos, because I like the series.
57. White-bellied Sea-eagle - happened on this one feeding on road kill. Took flight to a nearby tree. Stopped and moved lunch well off the road for it.
30. Crescent Honeyeater (male) - heard these 2 before I could see them, having a good old fashioned fight - presume a prospective mate somewhere near by.
Great set Dale. Love the patterns in the Great Cormorants feathers and their green eye. Congrats on the Swifties, what a treat that is. I somehow missed the end of the thread. Some other lovely birds . Especially the Firetail & the Tawny. Only managed to see a female Cresent when i was there
Great to see you collecting more again Dale. Thanks for the bonus mountain dragon, I am still waiting my first snake of the season. I hope the crescent hoenyeaters sorted out their differences.
Wonderful set of shots, Dale... who can resist a Pardalote and a great photo. I also love the Swift Parrot.
Edit: not sure why but I seemed to miss a whole set until after I had commented. They are also wonderful and it is pleasing to dicover some new areas. Love those Crescent Honeyeaters and the Dragon!
Looking forward to more, Dale. I'm still stalking our local Spotted Doves but being a bit slow at present, I miss them at the waterbath every time.
Thanks guys your comments means alot to me. The Swifties are certainly special, but arent they all?
Anyhow, went for a walk Sunday on kunanyi/Mt Wellington, Hobart's beautiful mountain back drop. Looking particularly to catch the Pink Robins, seen most days on the mirrors of parked cars. Mr Pink was a no show, but Mrs Pink turned up.
Scored 2 lifers for the day, and a couple of additional/upgrades.
93. Grey Currawong note the white vent (we don't have Pied Currawong in Tassie) - often see them, but 1st time for the year with a camera at hand, 2nd photo is for camparison the endemic Black Currawong (an upgrade).
Thanks Michael, they were around for a few minutes, have a hundred or so photos, all fairly similar.
My last endemic is the Black-headed Honeyeater, I may have seen at some distance, but not clear enough to separate from the Strong-billed - black-headed has a solid black head rather than white around from eye to eye.
Great set, Dale, especially the Strong-billed Honeyeater and the Tawny Frogmouth. You definitely have the most unique birds and you are getting close to the century!
Another Pelagic - I hope you don't get bored with my pelagic trips, seems they have made over half of my birds this year.
Saturday, an early start, with 33 species sighted for the day (can't guarentee I saw them all). 4 new species for my list - 3 probable lifers, with the 4th possibly sighted before, but no photgraphic evidence.
96. Northern Royal Albatross (Fact sheet only has Royal with no split between Southern and Northern, I beleive they are 2 distinct species, but happy to drop 1 if you all fell it is a ssp. issue) - and EBC, a bird I belvieve I have seen before, but my first (poor quality shot), was a distant fly bly, You may note some of the water has great focus!
97. Long-tailed Jaeger (lifer) - there were also Parasitic and possibly a single Arctic Jaeger sighted, but too far out to determine exact species. Too many photos here, but I feel it shows the wide range of plumage within this species. These have had ID confirmed as LTJ on Australian Seabird and Pelagic facebook page.
Dale, love the Pelagics and definitely not bored with them... just jealous like Dev. Very impressed at the variety that you are delivering!
The Royal Albatross is definitely split with Northern and Southern recognised as separate species by BirdLife Australia on their working list. The fact sheets on BiB are just not up to date as we know.
I forgot to say that these Pelagics would all be lifers for me! FYI, I updated your sightings and the Northern Royal Albatross was on our list as a separate species.
Yes, I agree with the general consensus. Keep the pelagic birds coming! Entertaining and educational for me...I thought a jaeger was something alcoholic.
My new haunt near Wellington Park is proving fruitful for hearing calls, but I am struggling to get decent sightings, think if I persevere I will get there. Have heard but not seen Scrubtit (endemic), Golden and Olive Whistler, Fantail and Pallid Cuckoo plus a few more I can't ID on call.
Anyway here is another I did capture, although the photo is a definite EBC, but enough diagnostic features (hope you agree) to include here.
98. Tasmanian Thornbill (another endemic) - caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye, by the time the camera came up to they eye, it was leaving.
ID pointers to separate from a very similar and often confused with, Brown Thornbill - rufous forehead, cinnamon/rufous flight feathers and white undertail coverts (I said "white, fluffy underpants" which got a few laughs on the Tas Bird Sightings FB page).
99. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo - 3 photos. Didn't realise I have not put one up yet - seen often, rarely photographed.
For some clarity, the 1st shows said cocky feeding on apple pulp - which is visible in the other 2 photos. Didn't want anyone to be concerned for the bird's welfare, thinking it migh have PFBD.(my best mate does apple juice for Juicy Isle and Willie Smith's Cider), and we dump the pulp for the sheep to eat - boy is that lamb juicy and flavoursome. Anyway again I digress, so here are the photos;
Had a big 3 days, Saturday, Sunday (double header pelagic), and Monday another decent excursion (you will have to wait for Mondays). Will start with the pelagics, only a few new birds, some I have seen before but not photgraphed and a single lifer. Some extra photos, just because I can.
100. Salvin's Albatross (lifer) - no fact sheet, apparently seen fairly often, just not by me!
101. Wislon's Storm-Petrel - these little blighters are hard to get any photo of, yet alone a decent shot. EBC photos for mine, but tiny fast moving, skimming accross the surface, white rump and brown body/head, leaves little else it can be (also many more experienced birders did confirm). Huge crop, and still don't take much of the frame.
102. White-faced Storm Petrel, these were very common on Sunday - can't recall If have seen before, but certainly never gotten a shot. Again tiny birds darting across the surface, hopefully photos clear enough for you.
Saturday night had us visiting a Masked Owl nest site - don't get too excited, (it had been there a few days earlier) but sadly once something did appear after sunset, it was only 2 brushtail possums - they may have pushed the owls out.
Whilst waiting, a beautiful Flame Robin turned up, just long enough for a pic or 2. Believe it or not, I have never photographed Flame before, but have seen them.
104. European Goldfinch - sadly wouldn't turn so I could get the more colourful side, but I liked this photo with the early morning sun behind me. See these nearly every day, but not always able to stop for a photo.
And now some additional photos, some are upgrades, and some are just because I can!
17. Silver Gull - I particularly like this shot, the gull is in it's nice fresh crisp breeding plumage, and it is in flight (think I am geting better at BIF)
Albies can be hard to ID, so I rely on others to confirm for me. At 1 stage we had 13 great albatross at the boat from 5 different taxa. Wandering ssp. I will not attempt to claim differing species, I know I have photos of Gibsonii, Snowy, Antipodean, Northern and Southern Royals, but can't confidently label the accuratley.
96. Northern Royal Albatross - my previous attempt was a definite EBC, but I think these are slightly better.
Wow, Dale... a great set of birds and pictures. You really are getting some wonderful pelagics and flight shots but i do also love the Flame Robin.
A typo if you want to fix... Wilson's Storm-Petrel? How great to make the century and pass it ... you also have 32 birds unique to your sightings, another wow!
Thanks Sue, I have corrected to Wilson's Storm-Petrel. As always appreciated feedback.
Wasn't trying for a century, but it is a good milestone. Looking like I will beat my previous best of 106, with some more to come over the next few days (just need to finish processing).
Also I think you are getting me confused with Dev, a few times you have referred to me as Dev. Not overly fussed, I know what/who you mean.
Awesome pics Dale, those trips are really paying off. You've actually got 40 unique species, I am a bit slow to update the sheet (Sue it's the second column in each sheet, with the 1 or 0, just have to copy the formula down, but I will try to be more timely with that).
I haven't been on here for a while so had a bit to catch up on, I really love your Pink Robin, one of my favourites.
Thanks Karen and Sue, not fussed about unique birds, although it is more than 1/3 of my total. I will not makke anywhere near the 200 of other players, but am trying to get me list up.
For me it is about seeing what everyone else sees, and enjoying the process.
Last week I mentioned that I had 3 days birding, the Pelagic Saturday and Sunday, and another epic (my opinion) trip on Monday, a repeat of a journey from 18 months ago.
So here goes.
I met on a previous Pelagic an extremely keen birder (John) from Western Australia, who was keen to see, but did not know to, the Orange Bellied Parrot. I suggested a trip to Melaleuca - an expensive option, but he had already spent lots to get to Tasmania, and that's what he does - travels to see birds.
Anyhow, it was the wrong time of the year way back then. Turns out John booked onto the same Pelagic trips, and had planned a trip to Melaleuca on Monday. I decided to see if I could make the same trip.
Here are my results - just a few of several hundred, and throw in a lifer for me and a couple of upgrades.
Lets start with Orange Bellied Parrots (OBPs). Last trip I was only able to see them on the feed table, what a difference 18 months makes, we saw 20-30 in the wild - some are wild bred and some are captive bred. Will put the link to the OBP program below. As of yesterday 62 OBPs have returned from their migration. 81 are known to be alive at Melalueca. I won't bore you with too much more, check the link out.
106. Striated Field-wren (lifer) would have had another - Southern Emu-wren - sighted but no photo!
Saw one on arrival - 1st bird we saw, but wasn't quick enough to get a photo. In the last 20 minutes, went for a short walk and found this one in a Melaleuca, at Melaleuca (Melaleuca gibbosa) - was feeding young maybe 20 metres off the track, 2 photos with insect, 3rd shows where it was hunting.
Ow Wow Dale. The Orange-bellied Parrot is one I really want to see and has been on my wish list for a long time. Such a beautiful bird. Probably the one I want to see the most other than a Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher. Alas I don't ever think i will be able to see one while this particular government is in power. The Fieldwren and Firetail would be lifers for me also.
Wow, Dale, what a great selection. Hard to pick a favourite from this selection so I'll opt for Orange-bellied Parrot, Striated Fieldwren and Beautiful Firetail with a runner-up of White-fronted Chat.
Thanks Dev and Sue. Gotta say I love Melaleuca and what it has to offer. Still need a Southern Emu-wren (sighted but no photo) and Eastern Ground Parrot - yet to see. Hopefully will get those next year (I have leads and possibly a guide to another location).
Back to earth now, another Pelagic (last for the year), thought I had 5 new birds to ad, sadly the photos from this day were somewhat (well actually a lot of) crap, so I can only add 1 new species. Even these needed alot of processing to get to where they are, and I am still not happy, anyway more reason to go again, and get some better shots. Should have listed Black-winged Petrel (only 2nd record for Eagle Hawk Neck), Cook's Petrel, Antarctic Prion and Grey-backed Storm Petrel. Seems when a bird is called, I get photos of the WRONG bird!
New bird - believe I have seen or had the opportunity to see, but my 1st photos.
111. Soft-plumage Petrel - lots of photos to show different angles of the plumage (all photos of the same bird with varying post processing amounts).
Thanks guys, been lucky this year, happy with my total, but still a few to come, got some more from the last few days, just need some time at the computer.
Dale, so good to see all these amazing birds. I know you sometimes express frustration at not being able to see exotic northern birds - we feel the same about yours! So wonderful to see all these different species - and yes, your BIF shots are improving all the time :-) Love all the pelagics, but wow that Orange-bellied Parrot! And the striated fieldwren is completely new to me too. Lovely to see them all.
This bird has eluded me for many years, hear them every year, but this was my first actual sighting - stood under the tree for about 15 minutes, couldn't see. Went away a for a while, and luckily was able to find 2nd time.
112. Fan-tailed Cuckoo - was calling continuously.
Brilliant, Dale. The Fantail Cuckoos seem to everywhere and quite vocal at the moment. Love them and the bronzewings doing their thing. Merry Christmas.
Good morning all. I would like to formally declare my innings closed for 2021, it's been great seeing everyone's efforts, some smashing photos of some beautiful birds.
Thank you all for your participation, encouragement and enthusiasm through what can only be described as a difficult year.
Wishing you all a happy and safe new year, may 2022 bring you joy and happiness,
Thanks Dale. Right back at you. It's been wonderful seeing your Pelagics but slightly sad as I know I will probably never get to experience that again. Happy New Year
Thanks Dale! It has been so great to see your photos over the year, so many birds I am not familiar with, especially from your pelagic journeys, thanks for taking us with you :-)
Another walk new to me was at Knocklofty Reserve, 5 minutes from Hobart CBD, with spectacular views. Not alot of new birds to ad, but here is a couple of photos, which you will hopefully enjoy.
86. Tawny Frogmouth - always a joy to spot, found this one because the was abundant poo on the track, looked up and hidden in the foliage was this lovely. I have probly 50 photos af the same pose!!
Not a bird, but a little beauty pointed out to me by a young boy, maybe 8 walking with mum. - a Mountain Dragon - a very small skink, and one of only a few egg laying skinks found in Tasmania. This little one maybe 10cm long.
And now for a few random photos from varied sites, a few new ones for the year and a few additional/upgrades.
87. Welcome Swallow - hoping to upgrade this one sometime soon.
88. Beautiful Firetail.
89. Noisy Miner - I know these are not the most popular, but we don't have them where I live south of Hobart, so I have to travel to the other side of town (about an hour) to find them. Several photos, because I like the series.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
And now for a few extra, some maybe upgrades, some just because I like them. No particular order, enjoy.
13. Superb Fairy-wren.
40. Australian Pelican and 24. Little Black Cormorant - I like the reflections.
57. White-bellied Sea-eagle - happened on this one feeding on road kill. Took flight to a nearby tree. Stopped and moved lunch well off the road for it.
30. Crescent Honeyeater (male) - heard these 2 before I could see them, having a good old fashioned fight - presume a prospective mate somewhere near by.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Great set Dale. Love the patterns in the Great Cormorants feathers and their green eye. Congrats on the Swifties, what a treat that is. I somehow missed the end of the thread. Some other lovely birds . Especially the Firetail & the Tawny. Only managed to see a female Cresent when i was there
Great to see you collecting more again Dale. Thanks for the bonus mountain dragon, I am still waiting my first snake of the season. I hope the crescent hoenyeaters sorted out their differences.
Wonderful set of shots, Dale... who can resist a Pardalote and a great photo. I also love the Swift Parrot.
Edit: not sure why but I seemed to miss a whole set until after I had commented. They are also wonderful and it is pleasing to dicover some new areas. Love those Crescent Honeyeaters and the Dragon!
Looking forward to more, Dale. I'm still stalking our local Spotted Doves but being a bit slow at present, I miss them at the waterbath every time.
Same thing happened to me Sue
Thanks guys your comments means alot to me. The Swifties are certainly special, but arent they all?
Anyhow, went for a walk Sunday on kunanyi/Mt Wellington, Hobart's beautiful mountain back drop. Looking particularly to catch the Pink Robins, seen most days on the mirrors of parked cars. Mr Pink was a no show, but Mrs Pink turned up.
Scored 2 lifers for the day, and a couple of additional/upgrades.
I hope yopu enjoy.
90. Pink Robin - Mrs.
My 1st lifer was the 1st bird of the day, attracted to a ruckous - sounded like nestlings begging for food, turned out to be -
91. Shining Bronze-cuckoos.
2nd lifer for the day - an endemic (previously seen 10/12 Tasmanian endemics, only 1 to go).
92. Strong-billed Honeyeater - adult 1st and then juvenile (the eye ring and buff/cream where the adult will be white).
93. Grey Currawong note the white vent (we don't have Pied Currawong in Tassie) - often see them, but 1st time for the year with a camera at hand, 2nd photo is for camparison the endemic Black Currawong (an upgrade).
79. Black Currawong.
Last but not least another upgrade, was luck enough to find another Tawny Frogmouth in a more accessable place,
86. Tawny Frogmouth.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Nice shot and pose of the strong-billed HE; I have never even heard of these before!
What is the last Tassie endemic left for you, Dale?
Thanks Michael, they were around for a few minutes, have a hundred or so photos, all fairly similar.
My last endemic is the Black-headed Honeyeater, I may have seen at some distance, but not clear enough to separate from the Strong-billed - black-headed has a solid black head rather than white around from eye to eye.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Loving these Tassie Endimics Dale. It's great to see the difference between the adult and immature Strong-billed Honeyeater
Thanks Dev.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Great set, Dale, especially the Strong-billed Honeyeater and the Tawny Frogmouth. You definitely have the most unique birds and you are getting close to the century!
Another Pelagic - I hope you don't get bored with my pelagic trips, seems they have made over half of my birds this year.
Saturday, an early start, with 33 species sighted for the day (can't guarentee I saw them all). 4 new species for my list - 3 probable lifers, with the 4th possibly sighted before, but no photgraphic evidence.
94. Mottled Petrel (lifer).
95. Gould's Petrel (lifer).
96. Northern Royal Albatross (Fact sheet only has Royal with no split between Southern and Northern, I beleive they are 2 distinct species, but happy to drop 1 if you all fell it is a ssp. issue) - and EBC, a bird I belvieve I have seen before, but my first (poor quality shot), was a distant fly bly, You may note some of the water has great focus!
97. Long-tailed Jaeger (lifer) - there were also Parasitic and possibly a single Arctic Jaeger sighted, but too far out to determine exact species. Too many photos here, but I feel it shows the wide range of plumage within this species. These have had ID confirmed as LTJ on Australian Seabird and Pelagic facebook page.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
No not bored Dale, jealous, but not bored. Well done on the lifers
wow Dale what a great set of photos. Love seeing all your photos, great to see birds that I haven't got to see yet.
Dale, love the Pelagics and definitely not bored with them... just jealous like Dev. Very impressed at the variety that you are delivering!
The Royal Albatross is definitely split with Northern and Southern recognised as separate species by BirdLife Australia on their working list. The fact sheets on BiB are just not up to date as we know.
I forgot to say that these Pelagics would all be lifers for me! FYI, I updated your sightings and the Northern Royal Albatross was on our list as a separate species.
Thanks Sue, Abby and Dev, glad your enjoying them.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Yes, I agree with the general consensus. Keep the pelagic birds coming! Entertaining and educational for me...I thought a jaeger was something alcoholic.
Thanks, Dale.
Thanks Michael.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
My new haunt near Wellington Park is proving fruitful for hearing calls, but I am struggling to get decent sightings, think if I persevere I will get there. Have heard but not seen Scrubtit (endemic), Golden and Olive Whistler, Fantail and Pallid Cuckoo plus a few more I can't ID on call.
Anyway here is another I did capture, although the photo is a definite EBC, but enough diagnostic features (hope you agree) to include here.
98. Tasmanian Thornbill (another endemic) - caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye, by the time the camera came up to they eye, it was leaving.
ID pointers to separate from a very similar and often confused with, Brown Thornbill - rufous forehead, cinnamon/rufous flight feathers and white undertail coverts (I said "white, fluffy underpants" which got a few laughs on the Tas Bird Sightings FB page).
99. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo - 3 photos. Didn't realise I have not put one up yet - seen often, rarely photographed.
For some clarity, the 1st shows said cocky feeding on apple pulp - which is visible in the other 2 photos. Didn't want anyone to be concerned for the bird's welfare, thinking it migh have PFBD.(my best mate does apple juice for Juicy Isle and Willie Smith's Cider), and we dump the pulp for the sheep to eat - boy is that lamb juicy and flavoursome. Anyway again I digress, so here are the photos;
It couldn't decide which was the best pose, so here is looking left and right, unfortunatley would not give me a front view.
Sorry for the overload, but experimenting with some editing software, just wondering if this portrait looks ok?
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Wow Dale love your SC Cockatoo shots, especially the last one.
Had a big 3 days, Saturday, Sunday (double header pelagic), and Monday another decent excursion (you will have to wait for Mondays). Will start with the pelagics, only a few new birds, some I have seen before but not photgraphed and a single lifer. Some extra photos, just because I can.
100. Salvin's Albatross (lifer) - no fact sheet, apparently seen fairly often, just not by me!
101. Wislon's Storm-Petrel - these little blighters are hard to get any photo of, yet alone a decent shot. EBC photos for mine, but tiny fast moving, skimming accross the surface, white rump and brown body/head, leaves little else it can be (also many more experienced birders did confirm). Huge crop, and still don't take much of the frame.
102. White-faced Storm Petrel, these were very common on Sunday - can't recall If have seen before, but certainly never gotten a shot. Again tiny birds darting across the surface, hopefully photos clear enough for you.
Saturday night had us visiting a Masked Owl nest site - don't get too excited, (it had been there a few days earlier) but sadly once something did appear after sunset, it was only 2 brushtail possums - they may have pushed the owls out.
Whilst waiting, a beautiful Flame Robin turned up, just long enough for a pic or 2. Believe it or not, I have never photographed Flame before, but have seen them.
103. Flame Robin.
Sunday morning while waiting to go to the boat -
104. European Goldfinch - sadly wouldn't turn so I could get the more colourful side, but I liked this photo with the early morning sun behind me. See these nearly every day, but not always able to stop for a photo.
And now some additional photos, some are upgrades, and some are just because I can!
17. Silver Gull - I particularly like this shot, the gull is in it's nice fresh crisp breeding plumage, and it is in flight (think I am geting better at BIF)
And now for some more Albatross.
Albies can be hard to ID, so I rely on others to confirm for me. At 1 stage we had 13 great albatross at the boat from 5 different taxa. Wandering ssp. I will not attempt to claim differing species, I know I have photos of Gibsonii, Snowy, Antipodean, Northern and Southern Royals, but can't confidently label the accuratley.
96. Northern Royal Albatross - my previous attempt was a definite EBC, but I think these are slightly better.
47. Southern Royal Albatross.
A nice portrait.
48. Wandering Albatross sp.
Maybe Antipodean or Gibsonii - young bird
70. Black-browed Albatross.
54. Short-tailed Shearwater - around 5000 seen on this day!
Thanks for stopping by.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Wow, Dale... a great set of birds and pictures. You really are getting some wonderful pelagics and flight shots but i do also love the Flame Robin.
A typo if you want to fix... Wilson's Storm-Petrel? How great to make the century and pass it ... you also have 32 birds unique to your sightings, another wow!
Thanks Sue, I have corrected to Wilson's Storm-Petrel. As always appreciated feedback.
Wasn't trying for a century, but it is a good milestone. Looking like I will beat my previous best of 106, with some more to come over the next few days (just need to finish processing).
Also I think you are getting me confused with Dev, a few times you have referred to me as Dev. Not overly fussed, I know what/who you mean.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Apologies, Dale... it is true and I usually correct myself but missed this one. I think I do the same to Dev!
Wow another great set Dale. Just love the Pelagics! From the small Storm-petrel to the almighty Albatross. Thanks for sharing
Awesome pics Dale, those trips are really paying off. You've actually got 40 unique species, I am a bit slow to update the sheet (Sue it's the second column in each sheet, with the 1 or 0, just have to copy the formula down, but I will try to be more timely with that).
I haven't been on here for a while so had a bit to catch up on, I really love your Pink Robin, one of my favourites.
Apologies Dale, I did not mean to short-change you... a very impressive 40 unique birds and maybe more to come!
Karen, I'll have to speak to you for more detail about updating that column as I don't want to break the sheet!
Thanks Karen and Sue, not fussed about unique birds, although it is more than 1/3 of my total. I will not makke anywhere near the 200 of other players, but am trying to get me list up.
For me it is about seeing what everyone else sees, and enjoying the process.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Last week I mentioned that I had 3 days birding, the Pelagic Saturday and Sunday, and another epic (my opinion) trip on Monday, a repeat of a journey from 18 months ago.
So here goes.
I met on a previous Pelagic an extremely keen birder (John) from Western Australia, who was keen to see, but did not know to, the Orange Bellied Parrot. I suggested a trip to Melaleuca - an expensive option, but he had already spent lots to get to Tasmania, and that's what he does - travels to see birds.
Anyhow, it was the wrong time of the year way back then. Turns out John booked onto the same Pelagic trips, and had planned a trip to Melaleuca on Monday. I decided to see if I could make the same trip.
Here are my results - just a few of several hundred, and throw in a lifer for me and a couple of upgrades.
Lets start with Orange Bellied Parrots (OBPs). Last trip I was only able to see them on the feed table, what a difference 18 months makes, we saw 20-30 in the wild - some are wild bred and some are captive bred. Will put the link to the OBP program below. As of yesterday 62 OBPs have returned from their migration. 81 are known to be alive at Melalueca. I won't bore you with too much more, check the link out.
Latest Updates | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (nre.tas.gov.au)
105. Orange Bellied Parrot - one of the easiest birds to photograph in the wild, once you get to their home. Excitement ruined alot of my photos.
106. Striated Field-wren (lifer) would have had another - Southern Emu-wren - sighted but no photo!
Saw one on arrival - 1st bird we saw, but wasn't quick enough to get a photo. In the last 20 minutes, went for a short walk and found this one in a Melaleuca, at Melaleuca (Melaleuca gibbosa) - was feeding young maybe 20 metres off the track, 2 photos with insect, 3rd shows where it was hunting.
Hunting in recently burned vegetation (controlled burn the regenerate seed species for the OBPs - natural source to encourage foraging).
88. Beautiful Firetail - a defininte upgrade. Both are the same photo, just different crops, pretty happy with the reslults.
87. Welcome Swallow - again much better photos, these 2 were very close, nesting in the shelter where we were having lunch.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
A few from Orielton Lagoon (RAMSAR listed) - not to much to see, but I had a good walk on a nice day.
107 Common Greenshank.
108. Bart-tailed Godwit.
109. White-fronted Chat - lucky enough to see both male and female - particularly like the photo of the female.
Female
Male
110. Black-fronted Doterrel.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Ow Wow Dale. The Orange-bellied Parrot is one I really want to see and has been on my wish list for a long time. Such a beautiful bird. Probably the one I want to see the most other than a Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher. Alas I don't ever think i will be able to see one while this particular government is in power. The Fieldwren and Firetail would be lifers for me also.
Wow, Dale, what a great selection. Hard to pick a favourite from this selection so I'll opt for Orange-bellied Parrot, Striated Fieldwren and Beautiful Firetail with a runner-up of White-fronted Chat.
Thanks Dev and Sue. Gotta say I love Melaleuca and what it has to offer. Still need a Southern Emu-wren (sighted but no photo) and Eastern Ground Parrot - yet to see. Hopefully will get those next year (I have leads and possibly a guide to another location).
Back to earth now, another Pelagic (last for the year), thought I had 5 new birds to ad, sadly the photos from this day were somewhat (well actually a lot of) crap, so I can only add 1 new species. Even these needed alot of processing to get to where they are, and I am still not happy, anyway more reason to go again, and get some better shots. Should have listed Black-winged Petrel (only 2nd record for Eagle Hawk Neck), Cook's Petrel, Antarctic Prion and Grey-backed Storm Petrel. Seems when a bird is called, I get photos of the WRONG bird!
New bird - believe I have seen or had the opportunity to see, but my 1st photos.
111. Soft-plumage Petrel - lots of photos to show different angles of the plumage (all photos of the same bird with varying post processing amounts).
56. Fairy Prion - I think an improvement.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Nice Dale. I love the daintyness of the Fairy Prions when they skip on the water. That Petrel would be a lifer for me
Great stuff Dale. A busy and successful December so far.
Thanks guys, been lucky this year, happy with my total, but still a few to come, got some more from the last few days, just need some time at the computer.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Wow, Dale... don't want to be repetitive but WOW! Those pelagics are really amaxing and I am very impressed with your skill at capturing them.
Dale, so good to see all these amazing birds. I know you sometimes express frustration at not being able to see exotic northern birds - we feel the same about yours! So wonderful to see all these different species - and yes, your BIF shots are improving all the time :-) Love all the pelagics, but wow that Orange-bellied Parrot! And the striated fieldwren is completely new to me too. Lovely to see them all.
Thanks Alex.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
A couple of new birds from a few outings.
This bird has eluded me for many years, hear them every year, but this was my first actual sighting - stood under the tree for about 15 minutes, couldn't see. Went away a for a while, and luckily was able to find 2nd time.
112. Fan-tailed Cuckoo - was calling continuously.
113. Little Corella - have seen many Long-billed, but have been unable to find a little amongst them, finally a small flock roosting on a warmish day.
And now a few upgrades/extras.
13. Superb Fairy-wren - the little bloke has a feed for nearby young.
And then this little lady posed for me!
93. Grey Currawong.
7. Common Bronzewing - these 2 were courting, I think. Had to blow out the background to get some colour in the birds.
5. Brown Thornbill
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Brilliant, Dale. The Fantail Cuckoos seem to everywhere and quite vocal at the moment. Love them and the bronzewings doing their thing. Merry Christmas.
Well done on capturing the fan-tailed cuckoo; patience rewarded :)
Great captures Dale. Love the colours in the Bronzewings
Thanks all, these are all very common birds, but sometimes you just can't find them in the foliage.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Good morning all. I would like to formally declare my innings closed for 2021, it's been great seeing everyone's efforts, some smashing photos of some beautiful birds.
Thank you all for your participation, encouragement and enthusiasm through what can only be described as a difficult year.
Wishing you all a happy and safe new year, may 2022 bring you joy and happiness,
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Wonderful sentiments, Dale... I whole-heartedly agree.
Thanks Dale. Right back at you. It's been wonderful seeing your Pelagics but slightly sad as I know I will probably never get to experience that again. Happy New Year
Thanks Dale! It has been so great to see your photos over the year, so many birds I am not familiar with, especially from your pelagic journeys, thanks for taking us with you :-)
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