The Western bowerbirds of Olive Pink

Imagine my surprise when this week's Wild Bird Wednesday post from Stewart features a Western bowerbird that I may well have met - and it lives over 2000km away from where I live!

There seems to have been a male Western bowerbird tending to a bower at the Olive Pink Botanical Garden in Alice Springs for some years. I read that the males are polygamous, mating with several females during a season so it is less likely that we have seen the same female birds.

It had me delving into old image files and mini-DV video tapes because I was pretty certain I had some video footage of the pair showing off at the bower. This was taken in June 2008 and shows the courting behaviour including the pink-coloured erectile nuchal crest of the male.

I have caught up with them on several visits to Alice Springs over the years ....

2004 (Canon Powershot A70)

2006 (EOS 300D, 125mm zoom)

Just a messy looking bower in 2007 (Powershot A530)

2008 (EOS 300D, 300mm zoom)

Bird on!

Alice Springs Ponds

Ahh yes, did I mention that the ponds are of the sewage stabilisation type?

I was thrilled to get the opportunity to have a quick birding visit to the Alice Springs poo ponds while in Alice recently - even more thrilled to be shown around by my good friend and brother-in-law Richard. It makes quite a difference when you know which section of saltbush may be worth hanging around! A few non-bird shots to set the scene ....

Looking south towards Ilparpa Rd.

Heavitree Gap from the poo ponds. Alice Springs proper is just through there!

Black-winged stilt 

I don't get to these guys a lot so enjoyed seeing them close and experimenting with some Central Australian colours! 

Confused pacific black duck 

Red-necked avocet

This whistling kite was probably keen to get started on it's feed because it knew it would be harassed by the local Torresian crows.

A pink-eared duck thought it all terribly amusing

Red-kneed dotterel demonstrating the knees that are its namesake

This Australasian pipit was just begging to have its photo taken!

There were many birding highlights. Some of these however were associated with photographic disappointment! I would have dearly loved these absolutely gorgeous white-winged fairy-wren to allow us a little closer (or at least jump into focus)! Just to see this very handsome bird (lifer!) was a thrill.

Similarly we had almost given up on orange chat but a few sprang into (distant) view as we wandered back towards the car.

I certainly added to my "year list" as well and just about all the birds pictured here today have not been seen on this Victorian birder's blog before! What fun! You can also check out the Eremaea list of species from the visit.

Bird on!

Alice Springs Zebra Finch

A lovely welcome to Central Australia from these Zebra Finch which are everywhere at present. These are not great photos but I'm just enjoying seeing thediffering birds from home. There weren't any finches close to the sparrowhawk pictured below!

Collared sparrowhawk