Monday 22nd March 2021. 0900 – 1010

Weather

1.5 mm of rain in gauge. Light overcast with sunny periods. SE breeze. Track dry. Water level falling slowly and now a good 70mm below maximum.

Wildlife Report

The report commences with a large White-browed Hawk Moth which had must have entered during the evening and this morning was resting on our wood burner.
It had to be photographed before breakfast and was followed immediately by 5 Channel-billed Cuckoos which were roosting in the gum outside our rear fence.
Chooks fed, breakfast over and the camera being already set up Thomas and I decided to make an earlier start on Patrol.
A lot of birds were active along Bunya Street but none very cooperative until we reached the corner with Penda St where a pair of Australasian Figbirds were singing in a tree.
In the trees to the left of Allumbah Pocket entrance “Popeye” the Green Ringtail Possum was sitting in a well concealed spot and a couple of shots were taken with some difficulty.
An Eastern Water Dragon was perched on one of the Horseshoe Rocks in full sun and again posted a photographic challenge.
At the Upper Level an immature Spectacled Monarch was photographed performing a comprehensive morning grooming.
Further along the track a Spangled Drongo was seen at almost the same spot as on the last patrol.
After that we saw only Columbidae, particularly a White-headed Pigeon, a Bar-shouldered and a Peaceful Dove.

White-browed Hawk Moth. Gnathothlibus eras

Spectacular moth on a less than beautiful background.

Channel-billed Cuckoo. Scythrops novaehollandiae

Five Channel -billed Cuckoos and a dove
Back lit by morning sun but not a bad image
Morning preening

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

Pair of Figbirds. Male on right

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Sitting in a difficult spot

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Interesting colour change at base of tail. I wonder if he has lost it at some time?

Spectacled Monarch. Symposiachrus trivirgatus – juvenile

Looking for the right spot
Tweaking the tail feathers into shape.

Spangled Drongo. Dicrurus bracteatus

Not posing so well today

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Hi handsome!

Bar-shouldered Dove. Geopelia humeralis

Beautiful plumage when seen in close up

Peaceful Dove. Geopelia placida

Delightful little bird