We live on a 5 acre property and since we arrived 5 years ago have tried to plant as many bird attracting shrubs and trees - mainly natives of course - as we could.
We are sure we see lots more birds now than when we arrived, althoughsome have not returned for the last couple of years eg. the Flame Robinand the Beautiful Firetail. Hopefully they will return one day! And yes, apart from all the shrubs, we have put up a few 'feeding stations' and 2 bird baths, both extremely popular with the birds. We don't feel guilty as some people might suggest, as Nick reckons, we have decimated so much of their usual habitat, it's time we did something to help them recover and have the benefit of our very own 'Open Air Aviary'.
We see more birds all the time and even recognise some that return over the years, like some of the Green Rosellas.
But no doubt the most popular flower at present is the beautiful big orange/yellow candle flower on the Giant Candle Banksia. Only 1 big flower yet and a 2nd one emerging. Visited and feasted on by every honey eating bird around! They are as grateful as we are - they for the honey, we for their visits!!
Also extremely popular is our birdbath - especially since Nick fastened two sticks to it to give them a bit of sure-footing, as is the baretree branch we 'planted', both 'perched' on used by several birds every day!
Thursday the 4th August 2011 around 8 am. I surprised the Crescent Honeyeater in the Banksia.
He flew away, but returned shortly after and I managed to get a good photo of him at 09.19 on the Banksia. He's has been away for a while, but since the return around 3 weeks ago, I experienced again how close I can get before he flies away. At times I've been standing not half a meter away, yet he keeps fluttering amongst and sucking on the Grevillia flowers, totally ignoring me. As much as I enjoy this if only I had my camera with me!!
Saturday morning 6th August, as usual first visitors startarriving at daylight the Green Rosellas, Fairy Blue Wrens and pair of Scarlet Robins.
The Scarlet Robins have several favorite perches, most favorite being the rain gauge, if it's full they even have a quick drink!
At 07.33 the first Silvereyes arrive and immediately get stuck into the apple and pear we've put on feeding station no. 1
A few minutes later panic amongst the Sparrows and Wrens, with the arrival of a Laughing Kookaburra, perched on the WeepingCherry tree not far from the house, but did not stay long.
At 09.41 To our delight we noticed the arrival of the Yellow WattleBird, he's been around the Banksia for a couple of days now, but this time has a really good feed and gave us the opportunity for somegood shots with movie and still camera! Also time to admire his beautiful physic and lovely arrangement of feathers.
13.09 Eastern Spinebill Has been busy flying forwards and backwards since early morning, feeding on the Grevilleas we planted throughout the property, perching on the winter-bare trees and singinghis heart out. He's finally back at the Banksia and I can take somephotos.
15.13 A pair of Blackheaded Honeyeaters are frolicking around the bath. One flies up in the tree behind it, the other one sit on a big rock, shaking itself vigorously to dry and flies off with it's mate.
15.33 Two Yellow Throated Honeyeaters are having a bath. One waits patiently till the other is finished before he dives in too.
15.40 Either a Little Wattlebird or a Brushwattle bird which I spotted on the powerline, is chasing the Eastern Spinebill awayfrom the Banksia into the tree behind it. A couple of minutes later and 2 small birds which I could not identify chase him out of that tree, away into the bush!!
15.46 The Brush Wattlebird arrives, a very large specimen,we mistook him first for a Juvenile Yellow Wattle Bird, but the photos show otherwise. He perches on the dead tree branches and has a good look around before he dives down for a honey feast on the Banksia. A very vocal one this is, in between eating he keeps 'quoking' away.
16.12 New Holland Honeyeater arrives and goes straight to theBanksia.
That's it for now. I do hope to have some more stories to tell and photos to show before the end of the month!!
Kind regards,
Annette Amse.
So great to see enthusiasts planting bird-attracting plants and having the pleasure of photographing the results and shareing with others. Keep up the good work. Ron
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