84. The Swallow Sagas - Part 1

Welcome Swallows are the most prolific and resilient birds I know. A flock of them breed permanently at my farm house, getting through to the eaves. 

83. Babysitting a Finch

I heard a plaintive cry outside the lounge room. It usually means the finches are in danger; that either a goanna or a snake threatened. 

82. Feathering the Nest

In spring
birds fly two by two
playing
chasing
dancing on branches
bobbing and bowing
mating
nest building
finding feathers
for beds
for eggs
to nestle nestlings
the babes to be
hatchlings
and chicks

81. Naked Birdwatching

I’ve never watched the birds unclothed before. I was so focused on a young Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo out my bathroom window, I didn’t even grab a towel.

80. Rainbow Birds, Bees and Blossoms

Rainbow Bee-eaters are back from wintering in north Queensland or New Guinea.

79. Dusky Snuggles

A Bee Bird, a Woodswallow, a Skimmer, a Bluey, a Jackie Martin and even a Sordid Woodswallow are all names given to one of my fave birds - the Dusky Woodswallow.

78. Our Peacock's Tail?

To attract a peahen, a peacock raises his train into a wide fan shape, then shimmies and shakes, enclosing her in a glorious cave of long feathers.

77. Whiskered Honeys

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters are at my home again. 

76. Dad's Ducks

 

This place is full of ducks dipping in and out of green water. 

75. Fruit for Breakfast

I’ve been teaching at a school in a village in the mountains. It takes about an hour to get there and another to travel home again. But even at the coldest time of the year, going to work meant I witnessed extraordinary things.

74. Chick Number 3

Life is tenuous. All life, but particularly wildlife, and bird life too.

On the morning I went to check if the last Grey Shrike Thrush had left the nest, I almost killed it.

73. Kings Hopping into the Hops

Today, 31^st of May, is World Parrot Day.