 |
| Regent Honeyeater |
2019 was my second year
Birding, and just as exciting as my first year, 2018. I saw many birds for the
first time, and many I get to know the year before, but there were two events
stand out in my mind for 2019. The first was the notification that a pair of
Regent Honeyeaters were spotted at Springfield Lakes outside Brisbane. I set
the satnav without knowing exactly where I was headed and off I went on my
first long distance trip to see a particular bird.
 |
| Regent Honeyeater |
After a few hours
driving I arrived and started looking in the few places the birds and been
reported. I met a few other Birders and we chatted as we searched. For over two
hours we had no luck and my time to return to the Sunshine Coast was drawing
near. Disappointed, I headed toward the car, thinking that the trip was still
worth it for the experience and meeting other likeminded people, when a call
went up. "They are over here!"
The two Regent
Honeyeaters were in a small tree by the lake and quickly made their way to the
larger tree near the café. With about twenty Birders standing around the tree
the birds were comfortably preening and flitting about. I am sure they were
enjoying all the fuss.
From what I heard from
other, more experienced Birders, this pair were the only ones known to be so
far south. And my research showed that they had once been seen up the along the
Sunshine Coast and beyond. I spent a few hours watching these lovely birds and
counted myself among the lucky group who go to see them.
The second event was an
extended one, two months in all. A few blocks from where I live, at Golden
Beach, a pair of Tawny Frogmouths had a clutch of three chicks. The nest was
very low, touching distance, and right above the main walkway. The pair and
their kids had a regular parade of people, kids and dogs passing beneath them,
with many walkers stopping for a look. Luckily everyone showed respect for the
parents and looked without intrusion. As the babies grew and began to explore
their nest, they gathered even bigger crowds of locals and were as interested
in the people as the people were interested in them.
 |
| Tawny |
 |
| Tawny Frogmouth fam |
 |
| junior |
Over the next few months the babies grew and started leaving
their nest to explore the nearby branches of their tree. On his first day out
of the nest the third little one found himself on the Boardwalk hand railing,
with dad in a tree nearby, watching. While passers-by kept a safe distance, I
had to make the decision to move the little one to a safer spot as a fun run
was about to pass through, and I was worried that people and their dogs might
accidently scare the tiny Frogmouth. With care I lifted the baby from
underneath, with as little contact as possible and moved him to the branch
under dad. Unfortunately, a pair of Butcherbirds attacked and he flew off into
the mangroves. I retrieved him again and sat him on a long branch and lifted
him right up to dad.
From this adventure the family of five Tawny Frogmouths
thrived. They spent daytimes resting in the trees near the Boardwalk entrance,
learning to sit still, which the chicks were not too good at in the beginning,
learning to fly, jumping from branch to branch at first, waiting for mum and
dad to bring dinner home.
 |
| here's looking at you, kid |
Over the two months the young ones grew and started flying
off after their parents, and eventually only a few at a time were seen in their
'training trees' as I called them. While they may have stopped in a few times I
suspect they went further afield. I was so happy they had a successful hatch
and all grew to fledge, and at the same time a sadness at their leaving.
The other thing I have enjoyed has been the amazing people I
have met. I didn't attend as many outings as I would have liked but the Mary
Cairns Cross day was a special occasion, as I caught up with people I have met
previously, but also some newbies, as I has been the year before. I love it
when others are around to share and point out birds for each other.
Great experiences, beautiful birds and amazing people are
why I took up Birding and I look forward to more and varied adventures in 2020. - Zoe Farris
No comments:
Post a Comment