Figbird in fine voice at Shoalhaven Heads, NSW, Australia

Comb-crested Jacana at Fogg Dam

Cockatoo with bread

Local Wollongong cockatoo

Pee Wee on the move!

Raven at Towradgi

Raven at Towradgi Creek

 Capertee Valley, NSW, May 2021

     Found in the heart of New South Wales, Australia, not far from Lithgow, Capertee Valley is a treasure for wildlife photographers and for those who want to get away, for a while, from big city living. There was once mining in the region but, when that petered out, so did the human population.

    

      In May 2021 I travelled to Capertee Valley with a group from Illawarra Birders. We were prepared for a cold May there since it is surrounded by mountains. It was surprisingly warm. There was dew on the ground of a morning and local creatures making the most of this dew.  

      Local spiders build elaborate webs to catch the morning dew.

I had never come across Babbles before. Fast, energetic birds.

Jackie Winters, birds that make a sound similar to their name, were easy to find.

Double-barred finches could be found of an afternoon where I was staying.

There were boobook owls on the prowl at night and a mouse plague to keep them well fed. 

KAPITI ISLAND  NEW ZEALAND 

Of all the places I ventured to last year while in New Zealand Kapiti Island remains special. Half the island is owned by the government and the other half is private. A great deal of effort had been taken to remove non-native species so that the natives have a chance to thrive. Elsewhere, natives have had to contend with rats and other introduced vermin. 

It is a short boat ride from the north mainland to the island. You can stay overnight and, if you do, there is the chance of getting to see local kiwis out and about.

There are kiwi mounds found on the walks but you will only see the kiwis in action at night. One of the strangest things about these creatures is they are a bird with a bellybutton. 

Here we have a New Zealand robin. They are insect eaters. 

Gulls can be found on the island. 

Shags are a common sight, especially near the water.

The island attracts bird lovers who don't mind sharing their lunch with the natives.

One of the locals decided to try my orange juice. 

There are set times when day trippers return to the mainland.

New Life On the South Coast of NSW, Australia

                          Spring 2021! 

On the South Coast of NSW, Australia! 

                 White Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are in abundance 

on the south coast of New South Wales. 

They are not, however, the only cockatoos around. 

           Black Yellow- tailed Cockatoos made an appearance 

at Fairy Meadow last Sunday. Their high pitched call is unmistakable.

 I got some nice photos of a couple of them eating. 

It is because of the wet weather there is plenty of food for them.  

                               Black Yellow-tailed Cockatoos are larger than the more common Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.

Spring also comes with its curiosities.

 This painted stone was found on the same bush walk at Fairy Meadow. 

At first it was mistaken by my companion for a strange, unknown bug.

 

In Corrimal yesterday I came upon a scruffy looking Kookaburra. 

There were also two Galahs to be seen. 

I got the impression they were nesting close by. 

                   Sometimes looking up you catch sight of a bird in flight. 

On this occasion it was a pelican.

      There have been less birds sighted by me this year than in previous years

 thanks  in part to the pandemic. 

There have been more foot and bike traffic than in previous years. 

                    It is understandable since everyone needs exercise 

and a lot of team sports

 have been cancelled.  

Noisy Miner

Gull taking a bath

Willie-wagtail on the loose.