"Peregrine" and "Pardalote"- two gorgeous sounding words that also just happen to be associated with the most wonderful of creatures!
Falco peregrinus arises from the Latin per and agri - literally "from abroad" or subsequently "wandering". I gather the northern hemisphere peregrines are inclined to migrate. I had jumped out of the car recently at Oswin Roberts Sanctuary (Phillip Island) and had one of those great car park moments when you know the birds are "on"! Looking up I saw the silhouette of a falcon purposefully gliding across the small arc of sky I had vision of. 'Grabbed the camera and managed one shot:
Peregrine falcon flying over Oswin Roberts Sanctuary
My impression is that the name "Pardalote" is a name known only to birders or those that have had a close experience with these beautifully marked birds. I gather that Pardalotus refers to being "spotted" and arises from Greek origins. Although I could hear many Spotted pardalote on this day at Oswin Roberts (I am inclined to think of it as Ozzie Bob's) it was the Striated pardalote that was providing most photo opportunities:
Striated pardalote checking out tree-hollow nesting options, September 2013
The next three photos were taken within a minute or two of each other when passing through a small-bird hot spot!
Brown thornbill, Oswin Roberts Sanctuary
White-browed scrub wren, Oswin Roberts Sanctuary
Superb fairy-wren, Oswin Roberts Sanctuary
Oswin Roberts Sanctuary is also good for honeyeaters (in addition to those shown Wattlebirds, White-eared honeyeaters are also common) ...
Still struggling for a decent photo of White-naped honeyeater I'm afraid
New Holland honeyeater
Yellow-faced honeyeater
I generally don't leave Ozzie Bobs without seeing an Eastern Yellow Robin at some stage
Dusky woodswallow numbers are seasonal - they are starting to increase again now that Spring is here
Fan-tailed cuckoo
Grey currawong
iPhone shot of the park's eastern boundary and adjacent farmland where Swamp harriers and Whistling kite are often seen.
Whistling kite
Even by Ozzie Bob standards this was a pretty productive morning!
A few pictures today from another rewarding early morning walk to Cape Woolamai. When the weather is right it is a place worth getting up early for! It appears that there is always something to different of the feathered kind to see and the views are exceptional!
Good-sized meal for a Chat methinks!
Australasian pipit perched on some Cape Woolamai pink granite
Australian magpie chases down a Brown falcon to provide some feedback
These shots were taken within two seconds. When checking my pictures later the magpie appears to end up with something in it's bill that is not there in the first two shots. I am assuming that the falcon is now short a couple of feathers!
A contemplative Australian magpie. I remembered later that Collingwood had just been knocked out of the AFL finals.
We surprised each other. One shot and this White-faced heron was off!
On the day of my walk in late September 2013 I took a few snippets of video:
The trail starts from the Woolamai surf beach car park and follows the beach until the cliffs commence. Hooded plover are commonly seen along this stretch (but that's another story). Steps take you to the top of the cliffs and shortly thereafter the trail splits into a circuit. Of late I have tended to take the "western" arm as this follows the ocean enabling me to keep an eye out for distant albatross. Sometimes I return this way as well. The views are spectacular. Taking the other arm will certainly add to your Woolamai day list as it passes through heathland (Superb fairy-wren, cisticola) and a good stand of banksia which is full of honeyeaters (wattlebirds and New Holland Honeyeater dominate).
Throughout the cape there is the opportunity to see raptors (Swamp harrier, Peregrine falcon, Nankeen kestrel, Black-shouldered kite and White-bellied sea eagle).
If the weather is unpleasant (either too warm or too wet and windy) do not take a young family - this is an 8km round trip!
Before your walk you may like to read the Phillip Island Nature Park's Nature Notes for Cape Woolamai.
The kids trudging, January 2011
Early morning view from the beach
I had forewarning of this burn but was relieved to find no evidence of it!
Up on the high ground
Much higher up now looking back towards the beach that was the starting point. Much rain has created fresh water pools on top of the headland.
Rufous whistler (AM - as in all images on this post), Silverleaves, Phillip Island (October 2013)
I am learning that this is the time of year for Rufous whistlers to become particularly active and garrulous. Most of the year I am accustomed to views in the canopy such as this:
In late Spring they are much more noticeable and seem to spend a lot more time in the lower branches.
These are not great shots but I did really enjoy watching this fellow go through his see-sawing dance routine at eye-level.
I will try to find out whether they are semi-migratory or whether the late Spring sighting peak at Phillip Island is due entirely to the beautiful clatter they make (the graph below represents frequency of Rufous whistler sightings at Phillip Island over the last 20 years):
The following photos were also taken at Silverleaves but in November 2012. I don't for the life of me know why I haven't posted them before (but I feel they deserve the Blogger image "X-large" option!).
