These beautiful little birds were spotted today around the Heathcote creek/Waterfall area South of Sydney. They were picking along the edge of the rocks next to the creek and also spotted further away from the creek picking around old logs and burnt trees. Beautiful chestnut/russet breast about the size of a robin. (maybe slightly bigger). Also got some nice pics of Yellow tufted honeyeaters.
Maybe a Rock Warbler, only guessing from looking at Morcombe's eGuide, someone else will probably know better. Nice photos of little bird.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
congratulations on your Rock Warbler pics.
Peter
Never seen or heard of one before today. Looked up everything I could find and searched the web. Thanks guys. My first Rock warbler. They didn't do much warbling though.
Wow Richard, a Rock Warbler. Wouldn't we all love to see one of those? Well done
M-L
Your description sounds like a field guide description for the Rockwarbler (I should have spelt it this way - some use 2 words), check it out, I think they are the only NSW endemic, they build their nest behind waterfalls and are only found from Lake Macquarie n of Sydney to Lake Benagui S of Sydney, my pics are from Brisbane Water NP, Patonga, near Gosford
Peter
Once ID was in I went and checked out the description and noticed that it was as I had described. I didn't mention they were always in pairs (but I did notice). There were more than one pair I reckon I saw about 4 pair (allowing for some overlap) The first encounter was when I put my pack down next to a small creek where I heard a lot of bird calls. (Lots of natives in bloom and banksias) various wattlebirds and spinebills as well as a few sounds I wasn't sure about. As soon as my pack touched down (gently) one landed on a patch of sand approx 60cm from the pack (the other one was about 3-4 metres up the creek on the bank I noticed later). I had the camera in one hand hanging by the strap and my face must have resembled a fly trap (mouth agape) My first impression was "What a beautiful colour that chestnut/russet is on a bird." I started softly talking to him/her telling him how lovely I thought he/she was in an attempt to charm. He/she stood pretty still for about 15-20 seconds and watched me as I slowly reeled in the camera. He started hopping along the sand and I attempted a few shots but they were a washout. When I reached the large creek I saw one on the other side exhibiting the behaviour mentioned hopping along the edge of a small rock ledge hunting among the crevices, mosses and detritous. I was looking for them after that and wasn't disappointed.