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| 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.
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| Punchbowl Picnic Area on Flinders River Near Julia Creek NW Qld |
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| 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.
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| 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
Email: JustClaireWood@gmail.com
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