Spinebills on show

While the Turnstones are definitely not on show - stuck on 171 for what seems like months - the spinebills have been very showy of late.

The last few weeks have provided great views of Eastern Spinebill around the house at Cowes. In particular a certain bedroom window has become the cleanest window on the island since its usefulness as a bird hide became apparent:

I think the following shots show the magic of nature through pollination and adaptation. The curve of the bill seems adapted for the shape of the flower which in turn dongs the bird on the head with what could be called, i dunno, it's stamen maybe? Do you think I could get a gig writing for David Rabbitburrer?

The lovely adaptation story breaks down when we suspect that the plant in question is African Cornflag (Chasmanthe floribunda) which is from South Africa and considered a bushland noxious weed in these parts (but only if it manages to oust the "aggies").

The Winter Blues

It seems that winter will see the Ruddy Turnstones drop out of the Eremaea top 50! Short days that are dull, wet & windy are not proving inviting for pulling out the bins & the EOS! Early morning birding walks are met with poor light, fog and drizzle. Several return visits to the reported haunt of the Blackie Lake Powerful Owl have been miserable & unrewarded. In fact I think there is a permanent rain cloud over that site.

In what seems like countless weeks the only bird added to the 2011 list is the suitably miserable Bassian Thrush .... and here's a suitably miserable photo taken in the gloom of an Otways gully:

And now the Bombers have gone to pot....even Melbourne beat them.

Mid-year Tally: 171

P.S. Oh, & guess who keeps turning up .....

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