I live in the Wollongong area in NSW. Me and my friend for a long time have been trying to find a reliable spot where Azures can be found in our area.
So we have been doing research and going to places where they have been spotted and or look like a good habitat for them but have not been able to find any.
We have just come back from one place which looked fantastic kingfisher territory but we didnt spot any.
Do they migrate at all in winter? I did not see any insect or small fish in the water but I know there is small fish there in wamer months as well as insects etc.
Just wondering if this place really doesnt have any Azures or they are just not there during Winter as its pretty cold here atm. Can get close to 0degC at night some nights.
Thanks
Hey stranger!
Hmm I can't think of anywhere local off the top of my head - I only tend to see Sacreds... I would be very surprised if there were none around though.
Hi Holly! Yes I have not been very active. Still passionate but just busy with 2 little kids.
So do you know at all if they migrate through Winter? I ask because a lady I know who works for WIRES said she thinks they move further up towards Queensland during colder months.
Thanks.
I was born to live and I live to die.
Hi abeleski,
If you googled "Azure kingfisher" and clicked the BIBY page,it tells you all the details about the bird species. In this case:
"Seasonal movements:Sendentary"
I suggest that you go to www.eremaea.com - Atlas - Species Records and then complete a search
Peter
I was lucky to find this one in my own garden a while ago. (Gembrook Vic) Not exactly Kingfisher country, but there is a creek on the neighbour's property though.
M-L
Yes I had read that before but was told by somebody that they move further north in winter. And since we couldnt find any I thought I would ask just in case. Thanks for your help.
I was born to live and I live to die.
Didn't know about that site. It has given me a couple of more spots to check. One close to my house. Thanks.
I was born to live and I live to die.
I I just realised that my replies are not really quoting original post. So thank you all for your help. I will let you know how I go and I will post some pics if I get lucky.
ps: Araminta...your very lucky to have those in your backyard. Very nice.
I was born to live and I live to die.
I have never seen one again, I still don't know how it got in my garden or where it came from? (the photo was taken 2 years ago)
One day I rescued one from a Safeway Supermarket in the middle of town, he must have been in one of the boxes filled with vegetables? I just noticed a guy shoving it under a shelf with his foot, it was very weak, so I took it to the closest vet. As you can see, you find birds in odd places sometimes
M-L
I doubt they'd migrate with the seasons though they may use different waterways. However, in my local area, Azures I can find on any local waterway at all times of the year Alex. I am in western Sydney (my user was windhover before).
Most local creeks, rivers should have them. The larger the waterway the more difficult it would be to find them, but if you go to an area, even on a large waterway, where the banks converge or get closer together (like near Nepean Weir) you should be able to find them. Becoming familiar with their calls also helps. I can often detect their presence just by hearing.
Sacred Kingfishers do migrate though.
Cheers mate
Hi Akos. Appologies if I haven't remembered your name right. Hope you are doing well.
Well I dont know. We went again last friday to another area where supposedly Azures can be found and we didn't see any. Looks like a good habitat once again but in the 2 hours or so that we were there we didn't spot a single one. This was from that website that one of the people here suggested to me.
I wonder if it has anything to do with salt water. I read that they prefer fresh water. I might try Menangle river (Sydneys West) next time I go to visit my parents and see if I can find them there. Although I was hoping to find some closer to where I live.
And yeah I do realise the Sacreds do move north.
Thanks Akos. Good to hear again from you mate.
Cheers
I was born to live and I live to die.
Slater guide says 'uncommon resident along creeks, rivers and mangroves ................... Pizzey & Knight guide says 'common to very uncommon, mostly sedentary ................... so keep going back to the same spot, if it was easy everyone would have an Azure Kingfisher pic I have 4 sightings in 4 different places
Peter
I saw one at Homebush Olympic Park along Haslams Creek between Hill Rd and Holker busway. I have heard that they are well known there. There are plenty more birds to spot and photograph in the wetlands and other park areas there. Not too far from Wollongong. Nice little train trip. I recommend the ferry trip from Circular quay to Olympic Park ferry wharf then up to The Newington Armoury (you can visit the Birds in Backyards and Birdlife Australia display building with the Sea Eagle nest cam. There is a lot of area to cover so take comfortable boots or hire a bike there. Good birding on the Concord West side too.
Not sure how to read that. Its uncommon to be found along creeks, rivers... or, an uncommon bird that can be found along creeks ,rivers..I take it its the latter. My understanding is that they breed on shallow banks near water and is not migratory. I am not complaining about not being able to photograph it. I just want to make sure that I am doing the right thing to find them. Its the fact that they are challenging to photograph and the fact that I find them to be a beautiful bird that has made me look for them. In my case though just finding them seems to be too big a task
.
I was born to live and I live to die.
Thanks richman. Sounds like a good day out. Will plan a trip. Cheers.
I was born to live and I live to die.