Birds in the Neighborhood

It does not seem all that long ago that all the Dollarbirds left, and they are now back again to join with the local birds.

Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)

Pale-headed Rosella (Platycercus adscitus)

Here's hoping that the Pale-headed Rosella would try nesting in our yard as they have been hanging around and checking out one of the nest boxes for some time now.

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus)

The Scaly-breasted Lorikeet on the other hand just want food and have been feeding in our trees along with the Rainbow Lorikeet.

This Staghorn on our next door neighbors house is a good place for the Spotted Turtle-Dove to raise their young. Unlike when they tried to nest in one of our trees and the Crows raided it so here is hoping they have better luck this time.
When I was talking to my neighbors they told me that they can still water the plant and are able to walk past without the adult flying away.

Spotted Turtle-Dove chicks. (Streptopelia chinensis)

Grey Shrike-thrush & Leaden Flycatcher

The last couple of times we have been to Cooloola Cove this Grey Shrike-thrush has been there to welcome us. We have them down the back of our place but not sure how much longer they will be there as the area is being developed into a retirement village, and they have started knocking down all the trees to make way for the building to start.

Grey Shrike-thrush (Colluricincla harmonica)

Leaden Flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula)

This Leaden Flycatcher kept us on the lookout trying to find it among all the trees and then came and sat on the outside branch for all to see.

Spring has come to the sand flats.

We had the chance to go out to the sandflats on the low tide, as we are normally there on the high tide for our wader counts. Looks a lot different and much bigger with no water on the flats. Mick led us to this patch of plants in full flower. It is amazing to think they would most likely be underwater when the next tide came in.

Azure Kingfisher & Tree Martin

Was lucky enough to come across this Azure Kingfisher yesterday. They always seem to be very hard to get a good photo of as they are normally flying very fast along a tree lined creek. This one was out in the open just sitting above a dam overflow which was flowing rather well considering all the rain we have been having of late. The only thing that it would not do is turn around to show off the colour of its front. Just when I put the camera down to have a look at the bird it flew off along the watercourse.

Click on photos to enlarge

Azure Kingfisher (Alcedo azurea)

Tree Martin (Hirundo nigricans)

After our wader count in September we took some visitors out to Carlo caravan park so they could check out the park for their camp in November. While we were looking around to see what birds were about we were watching some Welcome Swallows and Tree Martins flying over the sand flats. One Tree Martin kept flying to a metal pipe on one of the jetty gates. After closer inspection we found its mate inside on a nest. At least this nest site is well protected from the weather and from being chopped down. Not sure how many people would be aware of this activity being so close to a busy boat ramp.

Australian Pelican

Has been a good year for waterbirds through Inland Australia with all the rain.
Pelicans are having a great breeding season and this is one that made it to our part of coastal Queensland.

Click on photos to enlarge

Immature Australian Pelican

Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)