A couple of kiddies took their eyes off their drinks, and, as quick as a flash, Mr Satin Bowerbird was away with them. Tons of Bowerbird action today in the middle of the National Botanic Gardens in Canberra.
Hidden perhaps by the noise woodchipper running a few hundred metres away, I worked my way very slowly into the midst of at least 10 Bowerbirds going about their business. This is only the second time I have seen a male in the wild.
The bower was inspected by one of a number of potential mates. “Not bad” she says, “for a beginner. I will need a few improvements before anything interesting happens.”
This other lad was a 6 year old male, on the turn; and starting to collect.
There were lots of other birds about too.
This is a male White-browed Scrubwren:
This a happy sounding Red Wattelbird:
Also some juvenile White-throated Treecreepers:
An elusive Eastern Yellow Robin:
The New Holland Honeyeater differs from the very similar White-cheeked Honeyeater in the whispy white “beard”:
And finally one of my favourites, the Eastern Spinebill (male):
The stars today though were definitely the Bowerbirds; the signs were that there would be plenty more in due course.
Michael Monaghan
5 June 2018
Michael Monaghan Photography 