Singing in the Wind - Pied Butcherbird Bucasia Queensland

Pied Butcherbird singing into the wind

The pied butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis) sang for over an hour yesterday through the breezes of early afternoon, as he perched on the top of the clothesline.  He must have the most varied song of any pied butcherbird I have ever heard.  

I am back in Bucasia for a while and was privileged to be here when he put on this wonderful aural display.  I had become used to his occasional concerts and will miss him when we eventually move out of this house.

 It was hard to believe one bird only about 33 cm from bill tip to wing tip could produce a continuous song of  such richness and diversity of sound.

Pied Butcherbird singing as the wind ruffles his feathers

While he sang the smaller birds made themselves scarce.  The sunbirds disappeared.  The littler of the honeyeaters retired to some secret place.  

 His song drew me out of the house and I sat as close to him as I dared without frightening him away.  He transformed my backyard into a place of pure joyous sound.

The pied butcherbird is native to Australia and is reputed to have the most glorious song of any bird in the world. 

Claire Wood

Just Claire Wood

Email:  JustClaireWood@gmail.com

Longlines  In the Atmosphere

 For more information on the Pied Butcherbird:

http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Cracticus-nigrogularis

There are numerous sites that have recordings of the Pied Butcherbird, but none of them capture the rich melodious flute like tones of the real bird.

Yellow-throated Miners Julia Creek North West Queensland

Yellow-throated Miner Julia Creek Queensland

As soon as I ventured into the shade of the eucalypt growing beside the creek at the RV rest area near Julia Creek a group of Yellow-throated Miners (Manorina flavigula) began their alarm call.  They were content merely to make a lot of noise and did not swoop.  They flew away to other trees where they called incessantly, but although I looked closely I could not see a nest.  No doubt it was there.

Yellow-throated Miner Julia Creek Queensland

In spite of their pugnacious behaviour Yellow-throated miners are only a medium size bird 26 to 28 centimetres (10-11.0 inches for non-metric persons) from bill tip to tail tip.  Their range overlaps with the range of the Noisy Miners along the central Queensland coast and in the east of the state.  The Miners in my yard at Bucasia are definitely of the Noisy variety. 

We are experiencing an eruption of grasshoppers, locusts and other insects at the moment.  Every step in some areas raises swarms of grasshoppers, moths and other insects.  Yellow throated Miners enjoy a varied diet.  So the availability of flowering gums and a diversity of insects with nearby water is an ideal space for them to raise a family. 

They are an easy to identify bird and no doubt many a weary traveller, stepping out of the vehicle for a break and a moment of peace has been startled into instantaneous awareness by the sudden hysterical calling of these birds.

Claire Wood

Just Claire Wood

Email:  JustClaireWood@gmail.com

longlines, In The Atmosphere

The usual useful websites are listed below for those who want further information about these birds:

http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Manorina-flavigula

http://birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/yellow-throated-miner

And of course Graeme Chapman's wonderful bird photography is here:

http://www.graemechapman.com.au/library/viewphotos.php?c=335

Australian Reed Warbler, Julia Creek North West Queensland

Julia Creek Australian Reed Warbler

After a couple of weeks absence I went to the RV rest area just outside Julia Creek last Thursday.  It is my favourite place within walking distance of my new home and birds seem to enjoy the well -tended environment created by McKinlay Shire Council as much as I do.

The resident Black Kite came, speeding seemingly out of nowhere, and hovered above me examining my flynet covered face very closely, until of course I lifted the camera and pointed the lens at it, then it zipped away.  I have yet another blurry picture of this bird.  It must be the most camera shy creature in the area.

Black Kite Julia Creek

The bee eaters and the apostle birds have departed.  My momentary sadness at their inconstancy and the thought that their absence may signal no further rain was lifted by an Australian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis) clattering around in the bulrushes.

In spite of the racket it makes in the reeds and its melodious song during the breeding season, this is a very difficult bird to spot.  It is only 16cm (less than 6 and a half inches for non-metric people) long from beak tip to tail tip and is well camouflaged for a life in reed beds.  It occupies reed beds and reed like places near water over half of the continent.

Claire Wood

Just Claire Wood

Email:  JustClaireWood@gmail.com

Longlines In The Atmosphere

Australian Reed Warbler Julia Creek

 My apologies for the lateness of this blog.  I was travelling on Saturday and Sunday. 

Fairy Martins, Julia Creek North West Queensland

Fairy Martin Nests Punchbowl Near Julia Creek North Qld

Before and after the rains fairy martins (Petrochelidon ariel) were active in this area.  The iridescent blue of their backs and their ginger heads intensified the fluttering effect as they hunted insects above bridges and culverts. They seemed to twitter continuously as they darted into the nests they had constructed on the ceilings beneath these structures. 

Before the rains I went to Punchbowl, a picnic area on the banks of the Flinders River about 40ks out of town.  Fairy martins had constructed hundreds of bottle shaped nests, probably over several breeding seasons, under the bridge for its entire length.  They had also built nests beneath the low bridge at the RV rest area out of town. 

Punchbowl Picnic Area on Flinders River Near Julia Creek NW Qld

 

Fairy Martin Nest Near Julia Creek North West Qld

The fairy martins’ nests at the RV rest area were washed away when the rains came.  

I have been unable to drive to Punchbowl to check on the fairy martin nests since my return to Julia Creek a few weeks ago .  As the road was cut and extensive damage done to the bridge during the brief but intense rain, I imagine these nests were also washed away. 

Fairy Martin Nests Punchbowl Bridge Near Julia Creek NW Qld

I love fairy martins’ nests.  They have a special significance to the clayworker in me.  This tiny bird weighs only 11g, yet builds enviable avian architecture.  They construct intricate bottle shaped nests using pellets of mud.  These nests are about 30cm long with the bowl section about 15 cm in diameter and a colony of them is an impressive sight.

Claire Wood

Just Claire Wood 

Email:  JustClaireWood@gmail.com

longlines   In The Atmosphere

Peaceful Doves Julia Creek North West Queensland

Peaceful Dove Julia Creek North West Qld

They have been hanging around my back yard since I arrived: perching on the clothesline, eyeing me off from the security of the eucalypt tree on the fence line.  Peaceful Doves (Geopelia placida)  deserve their name.  They are a companionable bird.  Their gentle call is a musical accompaniment to the daily routine.  They exist, almost unnoticed, in and around suburbs, farms, and bushland over two thirds of the Australian continent.  

Peaceful Dove Julia Creek North West Qld

 Claire Wood

Just Claire Wood

Email:  JustClaireWood@gmail.com

longlines   In The Atmosphere