Friday, May 20, 2011

Caloundra

On a good weekend I might have added 20 subtropical birds to the 2011 list from the lads' weekend jaunt up to Caloundra. As it was we had a great time & I managed 11 new birds for the year. This included the lifers Variegated fairy-wren & Scarlet honeyeater (Spangled drongo also recorded as an Eremaea lifer but this must be an oversight on previous lists).

As usual had excellent views of Osprey & a wonderful Sea-eagle experience as it's massive form took off from the top of a tree in bushland only metres above me - we had surprised each other.

The birds added to the 2011 list were:
  • Osprey
  • Scaly-breasted lorikeet
  • Red-backed fairy wren
  • Variegated fairy-wren
  • Scarlet honeyeater
  • Brown honeyeater
  • Blue-faced Honeyeater
  • Pied butcherbird
  • Varied Triller
  • Spangled Drongo
  • Torresian Crow
Red-backed Fairy wren (only brown birds today)
Does my bum look big in this?
(can just see the red back coming through)
Variegated Fairy-wren (dismal light), Ben Bennett Bushland Reserve
Huge! White-bellied sea eagle, Ben Bennett Bushland Reserve, Caloundra
Scarlet Honeyeater, Ben Bennett Bushland Reserve
The photo that might have been.
Scarlet Honeyeater hawking
Osprey