Eurasian Coot

A coot scooted by the 'swan pond' on the weekend. It spent its time splashing a great amount and was perfectly at home with the Hardheads, diving in the deeper water and exploring the reeds. Common on several continents, these coots are not yet part of pond establisment. 

Fed from stormwater from a few streets including mine, the pond is about seven years old and is part of an urban wetlands renewal project across Canberra. From my point of view, the wetlands have been wonderfully successful in re-establishing native species in many urban and semi-urban areas.

Post Script: Four days later, two coots.

The yellow thing? It's a reflection from some public art. Don't ask.

Little Corella

It's always interesting to see what passes for little in Australia. Corellas are close in size to Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and galahs, none of them particularly little. Oh well. This is the first time I've noticed corellas in Canberra. 

Tea for two

Imagine my delight last weekend, to be innocently loitering by a gum tree, and have two male Gang-gang Cockatoos fly in. The tree was not too far from where I'd seen the male a few weeks earlier and they were very interested in the hollows, as you can see, so it's nice to think of the Gang-gangs living so close.

 

However, when I walked by the tree another time, there were starlings swarming all over it, flying in and out of the hollows, like horrible rats. In the bushland there are big swarms of them. I don't like.

Chicken? I'm sure that's a Gang-gang!

Early kooka

Well early afternoon, at least. It's easy to like kookaburras.

le bec

Another swanling development is the red beak colouration, which is noticeably resembling the adult birds.

I knew Alouette would be handy some day.

So the hollows in trees don't always come easy?

I've read it usually takes a hundred years before a gum can develop the kinds of hollows required for breeding by many native birds and animals, which is one reason old trees are important. In this instance a hollow already existed, but the galah was determinedly improving on it. Maybe this is why galahs and parrots need such strong beaks and claws.

Majura turtle

The local pond may be full of scum but it is obviously clean enough to sustain a variety of bird and aquatic life.  This is a fair sized turtle. Maybe it's a Long-necked Turtle.

Australian Reed Warbler

What sits in the reeds, in erm.. Australia and warbles a lot? You got it? I had no idea so thanks SG for identifying this tiny bird for me. 

Australian Reed Warblers are resident at the local swan pond right now. Favouring the heard but not seen approach, they spend the days warbling loudly, flitting in and out of the reeds and over the water at high speed and desperately avoiding portrait posing situations.

Australian Wood Duck

Who could have imagined it would be hard to photograph one of these ducks in spring? In past years they have bred in this pond, with ducklings galore, but right now they are infrequent visitors. This morning a pair scudded in, only to decide they did not want to share the pond with an energetic golden retriever and soon departed. Monsieur is pictured. Madame was less co-operative.

Noisy Friarbird

O what a beautiful morning!

Noisy Friarbirds are baldest of the friarbirds and I believe the name Friarbird proves that at least one person involved in English nomenclature of Australian birds, had a sense of humour. Hallelujah!