I was busy in the morning so I was unable to go out for my usual walk but I was able to head out after lunch for a quick photographic stroll. I decided to head to a small patch of trees and shrubs where I was told there were nesting Gang-gang Cockatoos. I did not see any nesting Gang-gangs but I did see three of them as well as some nesting Galahs, some mischievous ravens, grazing White-winged Choughs and a juvenile Superb Parrot high up in a tree. Considering I did not go far that afternoon I was really happy with what I saw. I hope you like the photographs.
The previous weekend I was told by a lady I met there were Gang-gang Cockatoos nesting in an area in Hughes. I thought I would check out what I was told, although I was going to be careful as I did not want to spook the birds if they were nesting. As much as I intended to head directly to the spot I had been told of I could not resist taking some photographs along the way. The first birds I saw were a group of Crested Pigeons in a tree. I am so used to seeing them eating on the ground I thought I should take a photo of them. They seemed to feel safe in the tree as they did not fly off when I approached. If I was that close on the ground they would have taken to the wing.
One of the Crested Pigeons in the tree
I could not resist photographing some Eastern Rosellas as they were the only two who stayed on the ground as I walked past a larger group. These birds are very common in the suburb but tend to fly at the approach of people.
One of a pair of Eastern Rosellas who were unworried by me passing by them
There will be no surprise the next bird I encountered was an Australian Magpie. They are well into the breeding season, which means they are also in the swooping season. I have noticed at least three magpie nests in the area around my home, including a nest in a tree growing in my backyard. Magpies are very territorial so it is not uncommon to see challenges happening given how close the respective areas of the birds seem to be. The magpies can also chase away other birds, although I have noticed they do leave their nests unattended for extended periods, although I suspect they have an eye on the location of their eggs and chicks to ensure they are not taken by other birds. Magpies are especially aggressive towards currawongs at present, possibly as currawongs target unattended nests. I saw one magpie on the ground with a grub in its mouth, possibly to take back to the nest. I have noticed with the nest in my backyard the chicks are quiet until a parent returns then I hear the sound of the young birds. This afternoon I was able to take a photo of some magpies on a nest, which may be the same birds I saw at the start of my walk.
Galahs are some of the most common parrots around Canberra. I saw some eating at roots on the way to my destination as well as seeing a pair I believe were preparing a nest. My attention was drawn to the two nesting birds when I saw one of them at a tree hollow. It looked like the male was completely inside the hollow. After the male exited the hollow both birds perched on a branch growing from the tree where the hollow was, before the male returned to the hollow with some leaves, which may be going to be used at the bottom of the hollow. When the birds were outside they were quiet, indulging in a some preening.
Walking a bit on from the Galah tree I was about to decide that there were no Gang-gang Cockatoos around when I heard the call of one. It was only one call but it was enough to give me an idea where to head. At the same time I saw the Gang-gangs I noticed some Australian Ravens around making me wonder if the call I heard had been a warning to the ravens. I saw a pair of Gang-gangs in a tree with the ravens nearby. I thought the male Gang-gang had flown to another tree, then I became aware there were two male Gang-gangs. I could not see the birds near a tree hollow, although I did see a likely hollow in the second tree with the male Gang-gang but none of the birds went near it. Later I saw two Gang-gangs on top of the canopy with the male appearing to eat some gum nuts.
There were at least two Australian Ravens near the Gang-gangs. They were in another tree adjacent to the tree with the Gang-gangs. Initially, I thought the ravens were eating something but on closer look at the photographs it appears to be just fur or feather, which may be nesting material. The ravens eventually flew off.
Walking up to the crest of the little hill I came across three White-winged Choughs grazing over the rocky ground. This was one of the smallest groups of choughs I have seen. They were not worried about my presence. Shortly after I arrived a magpie swooped the group with two of the choughs charging after the magpie and chasing it off. I am used to seeing currawongs being driven off by magpies so I was not ready for the combined response of the choughs to force the magpie away. I will keep my eye out to see if this is common behaviour among choughs rather than a unique observation.
Walking back through Hughes I saw a juvenile Superb Parrot high up in a tree. It was right at the limit of my lens, so apologies about the quality of the shot.
There were also a group of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos on the ground feeding who flew into a low tree because of the activity near where I was passing. They were happy enough in the tree, allowing me to get some nice shots before they flew off. I used flash in the second photo but the flash setting was too high. The photos do show the cockatoos’ preference for using their left claw.
