Tuesday, 7 January 2020

BIRDING IN 2019 - LOUISE LEE

Crested Shrike tit, Spring Bluff
Firstly let me say how much I enjoy seeing the posts of other members of this group and the knowledge portrayed is wonderful. I have learnt so much and there is plenty more to learn! Thank you all.
I have been intrigued by birds all my life. I grew up on a fruit orchard outside Stanthorpe and so birds were everywhere. My Dad would always be able to tell me who made the various bird calls :).

Over the years, whenever we've been on holidays either in Australia or overseas, I've always been drawn to birdlife and aviaries, especially in foreign lands.
Rufous Fantail, Ravensbourne

It has only been in the past 2 years that I have made a concerted effort to go out looking for birdlife, photographing more birds and trying to improve each time - sometimes it works and other times I fail miserably....., I enjoy learning a birds behaviour and take great pleasure from watching a birds activities.

It is a very relaxing past time.

My husband, children and now grand children don't really share my joy but they do listen, at times, to my tales and humour me by coming along on walks. :)

2019 has been great and disastrous at the same time. Early in 2019 I went to Tasmania and managed a trip to Bruny Island, despite the severe smoke haze. I managed to find 10 of the 12 endemic species of Tasmania.
Green Rosella, Howden

We then visited Norfolk Island where I managed 6 of the 7 endemic birds even though I did hear the Norfolk Island Boobook, a sighting eluded me. :( I am sure everyone will agree that the drought, bushfires and extreme heat has played havoc with all animal life. We enjoyed a walk in White Rock Reserve, Redbank Plains, early this morning. While there were plenty of bird noises high in the tree tops, and the ground is showing some greening after the downpour on 24/12/19, the bird life was pretty scarce. I heard only 22 species that I could actually name. I am sure there was more that I didn't recognise.
Long billed White eye, Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island Green Parrot

I look forward to the plans I have for 2020. 

1 comment:

  1. Louise I just loved Norfolk Island and your blog was a lovely reminder. Maggie

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