I recently had the extraordinary thrill of photographing variegated wrens in the Wolli Valley (inner west Sydney).
male:
female:
young in nest:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/2076254735_675868f252.jpg
They are not known in the area. Neil Rankin, the "bird man of Wolli Creek" who surveyed birds in the area for nearly 40 years never recorded them.
There were 2 other sightings in 2007 before mine.
More info about Wolli birds here:
[url]http://wollibirds.blogspot.com/2007/07/introduction.html[url]
Alas, when I returned the next day the nest was empty except for some large black ants.
The possible predators are many, but I'm thinking it was this guy, seen metres away only a week or so earlier:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/booshkie/ScribblyGum/fauna/fox_TurrellaRes_221107.jpg
*grumble, grumble*
*mutters about different posting syntax to other forums*
Young in nest:
---booshkie---
Possible culprit of empty nest:
---booshkie---
More info about Wolli birds here:
http://wollibirds.blogspot.com/2007/07/introduction.html
And image gallery here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10131109@N04/sets/
---booshkie---
Can you tell me if my Photo is of a variegated wren or a suburb wren?
Yep, variegated. Not sure if they're common where you are.
Very rare here.
The way to tell the difference is the rusty colour on the back. Or, as the book says "Wings brownish; shoulders chestnut".
This is blue in the male Superb Fairy Wren.
---booshkie---
Thanks booshkie, they are always here, they breed in the thick vines and paperbark tree I have. They flit around like crazy. I just love them
Pity the only thing you were able to shoot it with was a camera Booshkie
;^)
Some good news!
After the devastating discovery before Xmas that the nest of young variegated wrens was empty the day after I discovered it I am pleased to report that I have seen another family this week. There were two youngsters behaving extremeley naively around us humans and a scolding dad in the background.
I also think I saw a male in a nearby location. Although it could have been the same one. I didn't get photos this time so here's another from the first sighting:
---booshkie---
Thats great news to hear the wrens are still happy to call your neck of the woods home. And by the looks of the photo there is plenty of tucker around for them.
Where can one go to see birds at Wolli Valley? Any particular spots?
Im not familiar with the area but am keen to visit judging by your posts!
The Wolli Valley has records of over 150 species over the years. My favourite location is the Turrella Reserve end. Access via Finlays Ave Earelwood or Henderson Street, Turrella.
If you can find the entry spot there's a bushwalk through to Girrahween Park but apart from some recent tawny frogmouths, this area is dominated by Noisy Miners, Currawongs and Rainbow Lorikeets. Plenty of excellent species along the walk though.
The Wolli Creek Preservation Society occasionally does guided bird walks with an experienced ornithologist. Details appear on the website or are emailed to members.
Let me know if you need more directions :-)
---booshkie---
Are you talking about the entire suburb, or a reserve there?
Is the reserve called Wolli Valley?
Thanks :)
Never mind, I found the map!
Might head these this weekend.
serendipity. i think Your wren is a purple backed wren. not a vareagated. I got a book from the library about wrens and i am possitive !
I love birdiees
Hi Rebecca
We do not have other than Variegated Fairy-wren or Superb Fairy-wren in the Sydney basin. The Purple-backed Fairy-wren(Malurus lamberti assimilis) to the best of my knowledge is a subspecies of this Variegated Fairy-wren (Malurus lamberti lamberti) and is found west of the Great Dividing Range. :) When was that book published?
1982. woops i guess i was wrong.
I love birdiees
Serendipity didn't give a location, booshkie was in Sydney. This is a fairly old thread. From the foliage I don't think serendipity was in Sydney.