The same person I met on the ‘Understanding Birds’ course, who volunteers at the Australian National Botanic Gardens also volunteers at the National Arboretum. Even though I ride through the Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park (STEP) at the National Arboretum regularly on my bike I did not realise the plan behind it. The arboretum is attempting to replicate the various ecosystems found at different altitudes within the southern tablelands. While the trees are still young, once they reach maturity the park will be an evermore fascinating place to visit than it is at present. On the day of my visit it was very overcast with rain constantly threatening.
I know this is not a great photograph. There were two Nankeen Kestrels (Falco cenchroides) sitting in a dead tree a distance from me. Taking the photograph was a real test of the lens, especially with the bad light. When I took the photo I did not even know what birds they were, only that there were two birds sitting in a tree.
A Nankeen Kestrel perched in a dead tree
There was a small unkindness (collective noun for ravens) of Australian Ravens (Corvus coronoides) at STEP that morning who were not bothered by my presence. Indeed, I thought I was going to be swooped by a raven as it was flying almost head height towards me but at a measured pace rather than an aggressive dash. When the bird got closer to me it veered up to go over me and pursue a beetle I had not noticed flying behind me. After a couple of erratic jinks following the flying beetle the raven finally successfully got hold of the six-legged morsel. After landing, it used its beak as well as a claw to eat the insect, that is, it did not eat he bug whole. That is the photograph at the tops of this post. There was at least one young raven who was also foraging for food, rather than asking for food. There was the occasional squabble between this group of birds but nothing serious.
An unkindness of Australian Ravens, with an immature bird on the right, no white circle around the eye
The same raven at the top of the post, finishing off the bug
There were some Striated Pardalotes (Pardalotus striatus) flying around, including at least one adult of the ornatus sub-species, top photo, and a juvenile, bottom photo. They appeared to be feeding among the eucalyptus.
Adult Spotted Pardalote, sub-species ornatus
Juvenile Spotted Pardalote, sub-species ornatus
There were also the ubiquitous Superb Fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus), including this male.
A male Superb Fairy-wren
One of the trees was also playing temporary host to a group of Sawfly larvae. These larvae are also called spitfires as they can eject a distasteful liquid at potential predators warning them off. Hence why they were probably safe from the ravens discussed earlier in this post.
One of the gum trees also had two Spotted Flower Chafers enjoying the flowers in the morning.