Fairy Dell _ Rufous Fantail

The Rufous Fantail is a truly delightful summer visitor to our neck of the woods. It would be one of my favourite birds both for their plumage and typical fantail behaviour. During a recent visit by Birdlife East Gippsland to Fairy Dell near Wiseleigh, a pair was spotted constructing their nest.

Rufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifrons

Bruthen _ Square-tailed Kite

I am fairly certain this is the third year that Square-tailed Kites have bred in this location. Whilst having had two offspring last year, there appears to be just one this year. These images were taken on 27 November 2017. According to Morcombe, the chicks are initially in white down which is lost by about 3 weeks of age. Our chick is still quite white so must be less than 3 weeks. They fledge at about  9 weeks old so a bit more time yet to observe the growing chick.

Square-tailed Kite Lophoictimia isura

Newstead _ Barking Owls

This pair has been resident in a particular tree in Newstead, near Castlemaine, for a few weeks now. These images were taken about 7am with the sun behind them. Fortunately one was facing each way so you get to see both "sides" of the bird at once.

There are only two poses. Static owls at the top of a branching tree does not give much scope for composition. Still brilliant to see.

Both had their eyes closed at first but a single "ruff ruff" from me had the left one in the first image alert in an instant. So after taking the photos I had breakfast just a few metres from their tree at a table in the Newstead Rotunda Nature Reserve during which they started a short "ruff-ruff" duet for a few minutes.

f5.6 and be there!

Barking Owl Ninox connivens

Kakydra

Took these images whilst doing bird surveys. More than happy they are in focus! Chuffed to see about 160 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and get fairly close to them. And a Great Egret coming into breeding plumage was a bonus.

Magic. f5.6 and be there.

Australian Pipit Anthus australis

Great Egret Area alba

Note the black bill, the "young" breeding plumes hanging down at the back, the base of the bill going pea-green and. I think, the tops of the legs turning red.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acumulata

A non-breeding plumage adult.

Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus

Suggan Buggan _ Diamond Firetail

Every time I have stopped at the Buchan River in Suggan Buggan over the last decade, I have seen Diamond Firetails. They are just a great little bird. Here are some images from the BLEG (Birdlife East Gippsland) visit last week.

Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata

Metung _ Topknot Pigeons

Whilst Topknot Pigeons have become relatively regular visitors to East Gippsland over the last few years and their westernmost report ever is Walhalla, we don't usually see them west of Cabbage Tree. However, 15-20 or so decided a pair of fig trees in Mairburn Road, Metung was a great place to be for a few days.

Topknot Pigeon Lopholaimus antarticus