I was taking our green waste to the Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre early on Sunday morning, which I thought was the perfect excuse to then do some bird photography. I got going early so I could hit the Wanniassa Hill Nature Reserve while the morning light was still shining on it. Given the way the sun was coming up in the north-east I went to the north facing slope at the start to use the available light. The birdlife was a bit sparse initially, with some small wrens flitting from shrub to shrub while crows and parrots flew high overhead. I thought I had chosen the wrong place but eventually the birds came out in a way I was able to photograph. Below are the results.
Looking east from Wanniassa Hill Nature Reserve
One of the first birds I saw that morning was this Grey Shrike-thrush. I believe I only saw one of these birds, although I am not sure as I saw this bird in two locations and I am assuming, based on no evidence, it was the same bird in both locations. It was walking on the ground, apparently aware of my presence as it was always moving away from me. The first three photos are from the. first time I saw it, when it was in a slightly more closed in area. The next three photos are when it was in a more open area. Both times it flew off, probably as a result of my attention.
Another bird I saw was a Brown Thornbill. This bird was in very close proximity to the Superb Fairy-wren group I describe below. There may have been one more with this one but I could not clearly see it. Initially, I thought it may have been the Striated Thornbill but in consulting my reference books I am certain of my identification based on the the very obvious red eye as well as the plumage. The bird appeared to be feeding on the plants or small creatures on the plant.
In the same area as the Brown Thornbill from above I saw a group of Superb Fairy-wrens, although I did not see any brilliantly blue coloured males. I did see this individual below, which may be a non-breeding male. There were some females in the group but this bird was the least bothered by my presence. It was moving between some trees, a shrub and the small, dead, tree I photographed it on. They seemed to like being out in the sun with a number of the group apparently foraging for food on the ground. The have been labelled as the least faithful bird species, because of their promiscuity outside of social groups. Although that may just be a great way to ensure genetic variety.
I admit this photo is not the best shot of a White-eared Honeyeater. I only saw one of them as it was going through the leaves in the canopy of this eucalyptus. I kept hoping for a better shot but the bird stayed among the leaves, probably consuming lerp or something similar to supplement its diet. Apparently, they have the habit of taking hair from people's heads to use in building their nests.
The upside down feeding White-eared Honeyeater
When I arrived home I found the feeder was being visited by a pair of Crimson Rosellas. This is a photo of one of them, who is enjoying a bit of corn that has fallen to the ground. Canberra is a wonderful place for attracting such lovely coloured birds to the garden.
