Willie Wagtaiul or.....!

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mfretwell
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Willie Wagtaiul or.....!

Hi, I took these photos  last evening, thinking I was photographing a Wllie Wagtail. Now I am trying to identify it and believe it to be a Restless Flycatcher - that is the closest I can get to!. The blue confuses me!
May I have your advice on this please.
Many thanks
Mike, Burra, SA

Araminta
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I do think it is a Grey Fantail.Like the one in my photo

M-L

Owen1
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Willie Wagtails and the 2nd shot probably Singing Honeyeater.

Cheers, Owen.

Woko
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The blue tail on the Willie Wagtail was probably a trick of the light, Mike. A black sheen can sometimes look dark blue.

mfretwell
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Thanks guys - photos are now labelled WW in my catalogue.

Photos were taken with a setting sun - camera facing north.

Until next time!!

Mike

Woko
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Any photos or other postings from around Burra are welcome, Mike. Do you get out east into the mallee? I have fond memories of Major Mitchell Cockatoos (& many other species) on Sturt Vale station.

mfretwell
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Hi Woko,

Thanks for your interest.

Sturt Vale has been cut off for almost 12 months now. Two major floods took the roads aka tracks away!!

I am retired and do get around now. I am camping on private property down by the river tomorrow.

On my local walks the main stars are the galahs, letter wing kites and Nankeen (some say Australian) Kestrel All are regular posers!

I will see what I can do. I got done over in Coober Pedy CP late last year and my cameras were taken from my car.I was ok, Anyway that was my excuse to use the insurance to upgrade and buy new gear and lenses - we are now getting acquainted! The birds aren't always playing the game however!

Again many thanks,

Mike

Woko
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I didn't know about Sturt Vale station being cut off. I wonder what the rains have done to the country out there.

Interesting to read that there are letter-winged kites about. Is this because rain has produced food for them?

Sorry to hear about the nasty Coober Pedy incident. It must have been quite a shock. Some people!!

mfretwell
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Woko,

Apologies for my delayed response. Have been down at the river camping - great!

I need to retract = the kites are of course black shouldered wing! Please see photo attached!

Food is no problem - we have a mice plague - 3/ night in house!

all the best,

Mike

Woko
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I wondered about the letter-winged kites. They're usually in more arid country than around Burra although I understand they spread out when food (e.g, mice) becomes more abundant.  

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