My usual Sunday morning stroll around my property with a gander at the neighbour's dam revealed two Grey Teal copulating, a Dusky Woodswallow nest building, a young Weebill & a young White-plumed Honeyeater the last two each dependent on an adult for food. Today a very young Silvereye was at the bird bath.
We've just had our wettest January (50 mm as at this morning & it's raining now) in our 28 years here on the s.e. slopes of the Mt Lofty Ranges SA after no rain to speak of since June last year. I'm wondering if some bird species are responding to the rain while others saw it coming.
We've had quite a wet summer here near Bathurst, 220mm since the start of dec. There are lots of birds having a second go at breeding, lots of little birds collecting spider webs for nest material. They know the outside of my house is always a good source of webs.
Good to hear things are all good at your place Woko. I had wondered how you were faring with the fires in the ranges there.
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
I wonder if it is possible for cuckoos to breed a second time? If not it would represent a free go for the other birds, a chance to breed without the risk of cuckoos parisitising the brood. I don't think it would be very easy for cuckoos to synchronise with the other birds later in the season.
Thanks for the thoughts, Timmo. The fires were about 50 km north of us until horrendous thunderstorms hit our area & lightning strikes started two fires about 5 km away. The anti-bushfire gear was swung into action whereupon we & the fires near & far were drenched by torrential rain. Talk about lucky! Ms Woko & I have lots to be thankful for.
Interesting thought, GregL. No sign of cuckoos here on the s.e. slopes of the Mt Lofty Ranges SA for about three weeks but two new broods of Willie Wagtails seen yesterday.