Nesting time, Blackie Lake

In addition to my friends the Spotted pardalote pair who are nesting in the bank of a creek at Blackburn Lake several other species were seen to be making plans the other day. Today's pictures feature a few birds that nest in tree hollows such as Australian Wood Duck and Rainbow lorikeets.

Pair of Australian Wood duck Chenonetta jubata checking out this hollow trunk. I have not seen this but I gather that the ducklings first "flight" is to jump from the nest often several metres up a tree! 

Male Australian Wood duck

Female Australian Wood duck

Having seen off several competitors for this potential nesting site these Rainbow lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus  ....

... proceeded to explore its potential. 

Eastern rosella Platycercus eximius were also seen at Blackburn Lake this day. They also nest in tree hollows. This one of a pair was too busy looking gorgeous among the flowers to be looking for tree hollows! 

Linking with Wild Bird Wednesday

Bird on! 

Pardalote time, Blackie Lake

Well it's been so long I have to familiarise myself with the post editor! It was the return of the Spotted pardalotes to ground level that did it.

In November 2011 I had my first close encounters with Pardalotus punctatus. Some pictures I managed (with an old lens) were fashioned into the banner for this blog and the avatar for a few networking accounts (Instagram and the like).

Earlier this week I was at exactly the same spot - crossing the Billabong Bridge at Blackburn Lake - and came across a pair tending to this year's nest. It was great to see them again and I just happened to have my camera!

Spotted pardalote (male) Pardalotus punctatus Blackburn Lake

I observed:

• that seeing the the male bird from above demonstrates how it gets its name - so many spots!
• that both male and female birds work at the nest - generally taking it in turns
• that the entry to the nest in this instance was perilously close to the water level of this urban creek. I'm sure it would be prone to flooding

I would like to find out:

• whether these two birds are the same as the 2011 pair
• how long that tunnel is and whether it is designed to withstand rises in water level 
• whether Spotted paradalote return to the same nesting site (regardless of success)

I really relished the moment and am looking forward to keeping an eye on them. This newspaper article also celebrates the pardalotes at this time of year.

So many spots! Pardalotus - spotted like a leopard, punctatus - spotted bird 

Spotted pardalote (female) carrying a little something for the nest

I tried to capture the precariousness of the situation with this iPhone shot. The entrance to the tunnel (oval) was hidden amongst the weed we call Wandering Jew Tradescantia fluminensis. This waterway is upstream from Blackburn Lake proper. Suburban stormwater flows in here and the creek is subject to massive fluctuations in flow.

We'll see how they get on!

Bird On!

Angry Birds - White-browed scrubwrens

With their furrowed brows these angry little guys must seem truly terrible to their prey! I enjoyed these views of a small group at Blackburn Lake this week.

White-browed scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis)

"Go ahead! Make my day!"

Making like a robin

Hunting

Spotted something

In for the kill!

 Also at the lake this week....

Distant view of Common bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera)

Australasian grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)

Red wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) sporting a magnificent yellow blush

Crimson rosella (Platycerus elegans)

A hollow feeling!

This productive nesting tree hollow at suburban Blackburn Lake Sanctuary has been closely watched. It is only 2.5 metres off the ground alongside one of the broad, well-tended walking trails. I imagine it has been home to many hatchlings including the young of this rainbow lorikeet.

Rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus heamatodus) 22 January 2012

Now it is no more, or at least has been redeveloped! This is the hollow I had been watching for evidence of Sacred kingfisher breeding. I hope I was barking up the wrong tree!

The same hollow (lower central), 8 May 2012

I am curious to know what this black substance might be

On a separate note, those familiar with the sanctuary may be interested to know that a small section (about 5% would be my estimate) has had a fuel reduction burn this autumn.

Blackie Lake disappointment

A pair of Sacred kingfisher have been hanging around the lake over summer. A fellow birder (thanks Trevor) had shown me where they had nested in previous years and they seemed to be hanging around the exact same nesting hollow.

Sacred kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus)
Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, 2 Feb 2012

When wandering around the lake yesterday I passed said nesting hollow and heard the sound of young birds. With much anticipation I found myself a "perch" at a respectable distance and waited. I must confess to being disappointed when this fellow stuck his head out!

Rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)

I never saw the kingfishers actually enter any nesting hollow but I have just read that some astute observers reported nesting and young birds at the lake in November.

That makes me feel better!

A few other locals follow. I don't see Black-faced cuckoo-shrike frequently at the lake so I enjoyed seeing this bird yesterday.

Black-faced cuckoo-shrike 

Always obliging
Little pied cormorant 

Duck Yoga 

These guys have been hanging around a bit lately
lowering the tone of the neighbourhood.
Australian white ibis

Wha...what happened? What's that?
Maybe 20th wedding anniversaries
do weird things to a bloke

P.S. - I enjoyed creating my new blog background which is a photoshopped variation of a shot taken at one of my favourite spots, Deen Maar in Southwestern Victoria. The original can be seen in one of last year's Deen Maar posts.

In the news

A great article about current Spotted pardalote behaviour in our neck of the woods recently in The Age. The photos are awesome. See it at:

Spotted! The birds who flew to earth and then will leave.

It probably explains why even I can currently get photos of this tree-top dweller

Spotted pardalote, Blackburn Lake

Night Herons @ Blackie Lake

There are (to my mind) remarkable numbers of Nankeen night heron at Blackburn Lake currently. It has prompted me to examine the Eremaea sightings for this species which reveals that they are not sighted for much of the year and most likely seen from late spring through summer.

Nankeen night heron (immature)
Blackburn Lake, 16 September 2011

Nankeen night heron at Blackburn Lake
Graph generated by Eremaea website

Visit www.eremaea.com

I have always found them a bird that is not readily seen even when they are present. Even when trying hard (for me) I would generally only pick up one or two. Lately however there have been days on the water's edge when it feels like they are the dominant species with much posturing and flying around. An Eremaea list from 15 November 2011 from Richard and Margaret Alcorn records no fewer than 12 sightings.

The photo below is taken on a day when I sighted seven night heron, four of which are in shot:

Night heron at Blackburn Lake
18 November 2011

Spring is certainly a lively time at Blackburn Lake for birding (more images from 18 November):

Little pied cormorant

Pacific black duck

Little black cormorant

Common bronzewing calling

To me a little sense of mystery surrounds my sightings of Common bronzewing.
It was a few years of birdwatching before I even identified one. I must have seen or heard them before my birding existence - I was in their domain after all. It is probable that unless you're some sort of "birder" seeing a bronzewing does not even register in one's consciousness.

Common bronzewing (male)
at Hochkins Reserve, North Croydon

Mysterious because having not been aware of them before, they then "appear" in the parks of suburbs in which I live and work.
I identified the bird a few times before I ever heard them call. Then one day I heard it - the booming but soft and deep resonating repeated "oom". I couldn't see the bird, I didn't even know it was a bird. I remember a woman passed. I explained and queried. She heard also and declared "Owl!" (I wish). Eventually I worked it out.

Common bronzewing - the female colouring
Blackburn Lake

Mysterious because on the one hand they are elusive and yet not. In a place I regularly pass I will make a single unexpected sighting and then not again for many, many months. Yet their call can be readily heard over 100m away and once heard they can usually be tracked down - what a give away! Also they are just as likely to frequent the picnic spots of forested areas, wandering calmly through the car park - they even visit the bird feeder in my father-in-law's suburban deck!

I remember enjoying watching this bird at the car park at Badger Creek Weir and was able to record some video of it calling (perhaps would have been better if the camera wasn't set to a fixed focal point just beyond the bird).

Having also seen a male bird display from a distance I know I would also enjoy a closer view of that fanned tail .... and perhaps a few shots.

Anyway .... now for the Brush & Flock bronzewing varieties!!

Cracking pardalote views

Enjoyed cracking views of this female (or immature) Spotted pardalote at Blackburn Lake yesterday. Also recently arrived in town are a few Sacred kingfisher and Musk lorikeets. Amongst the regulars there are also a few cooperative Chestnut teal and some less cooperative Mistletoebird (hence no pictures).

Personally, Sacred kingfisher and Mistletoebird were not birds I'd seen at Blackie Lake until a few weeks ago. It is a pleasure to see them regularly at the moment (I gather it is hoped that the kingfishers may nest).



                                        Spotted pardalote                                          



                                    Sacred kingfisher                                    

When backlit by sunshine the colouring changes
(it happens to be a different bird, same day)

                                                       Musk lorikeet                                                      

                                                            Chestnut teal                                                         

                                                     The carp are huge!