So, now I have got your interest, we get on with the main game.
Thanks to Andrew Wood of Illawarra Birding Tours (http://www.illawarrabirdingtours.com.au/) I had a great day and a half around Jervis Bay area. Added 6 bird species to my identified species list, bringing it to 191. Also visited some lovely spots. As you will see from the web site, comfortable accommodation is also available in Culburra Beach, which is ideally located for photographers and birders to explore the great variety available around this area.
This Diamond Python wasn’t going anywhere fast, having found a treasure spot in the sun. Just in case, I kept a close eye on the end of the tail, which seemed miles (well several kilometres) from the head.
Amongst the newly sighted species were the Black-Faced Monarch, Eastern Bristlebird, Brown Gerygone, Olive Whistler, Common Bronzewing, Yellow-faced Honeyeater and Brown Thornbill. The first three are the Brown Gerygone, followed by the Olive Whistler.
The Eastern Bristlebirds hadn’t read “How to have my photo taken 101”, which involves standing still for a second. However, we did see three, typically darting, half running and half flying, across the path from scrub to scrub.
A useful and surprisingly detailed text is “The Complete Guide to finding the Birds of Australia” by Richard Thomas, Sarah Thomas, David Andrew and Alan McBride.
Also no decent photo of the Brown Thornbill, just one of it rushing to avoid having its photo taken.
The Black-faced Monarch was a fleeting glimpse, attempting to camouflage itself beside an autumn leaf.
Eastern Whipbirds are often heard and extremely rarely seen. We got a good look at both the male and female.
There were plenty of honeyeaters, New Holland, White-cheeked, and a first sighting of a Yellow-Faced Honeyeater.
The Common Bronzewing is, well common, but was my first sighting, and was a last find as we headed home.
There were also many usual suspects, in order below: Australian Pelican, Nankeen Kestrel, Grey Butcherbird, Yellow Robin, Australasian Gannet, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Eastern Spinebill, White-faced Heron, and Hoary Headed Grebe.
Always repaying closer inspection, an assortment of ducks revealed a Hardhead (first photo), and Wood Ducks.
The two in the water are Hardhead in front, and the Pacific Black, as is the one at back right.
There also was a single Caspian Tern, looking somewhat forlorn amidst strangers.
Finally, a subtle variation were some Silver-eyes, race ‘lateralis’ – Tasmanian based which fly up here for winter.
Michael Monaghan
April 2019
Michael Monaghan Photography 