Where I would rather be

I am sitting in the library procrastinating about an assignment wishing I was back on the Gold Coast enjoying this beautiful day at the beach. I have decided to relive my most recent sneaky GC trip.

I have recently started surfing and birding and surfing don't always mix. If I am in the water I see an albatross fly over or an osprey fishing and I am wishing had bins to identify the albatross (or what I think is one, I am New remember) or my camera to capture the Osprey. For this reason I go for a photo walk before I get in the waster and sus out my favourite subjects.

This morning I was taking some seagull shots when I found my osprey buddy eating a fish too far from me to capture. I got caught up in the subjects I had then when retrieving my board from Sebastians' (my red Honda is called Sebastian) boot I saw her again enjoying a bath close to shore on a deserted part of the beach. One of those moments I wish I had a longer lense as I did disturb her. I am pleased however to have some captured memories.

After sitting on my board for a few hours watching the guys take the few waves around me (not complaining) I saw a pair of sooty oystercatchers chipping away at the limpets having a good old time. They are so fun to watch and their bright orange beaks are like a warning to the immobile crustaceans about to meet their doom. I took way more photos of them than necessary but it is so fun having subjects that are conditioned to annoying people like me ;)

In front of my car a pair of striated pardalotes were perched on the wire fence with food for their babies (similar to previous post.) They we quite worried about me watching and would not feed whilst I was looking at them. I backed off and they disappeared into the dirt bank. I couldn't find the nest and decided to leave as they were very uneasy. The pardalot parents were ok with people very close by however they could tell I was watching them intently.

Pardalote Parents of the spotted variety

Well its spring and I did not intend for this to be a blog entirely about babies but what the heck, when I find something that interests me I will post it. Even if it means babies for the rest of this season. hehe.

Yesterday I spotted a pair of spotted (see what I did there) pardalotes (yellow rumped) perched on a low branch with beaks full of goodies. I knew what that meant and although reluctant, daddy eventually popped into a hole in the embankment and quickly out again beak empty. 

A couple of unwelcome visitors arrived at the scene (other than me) and mummy spread out her red tail feathers and called loudly which was enough to make the yellow faced honey eater and white browed scrub wren find somewhere else to be.

I also left them to their duties as the new parents seemed to be under a bit of stress.

I did visit again this morning for some shots and knowing where the nest was and what branches the birds preferred I did not need to bother them for long. 

In the following images you have mummy entering and leaving the nest. Followed by daddy and his entrance and exit.

These birds are quite small about 8-10 cm. They usually are high up in eucalyptus trees where you are unable to see their wonderful detail. I was so excited to see them down and up close only meters from me. It is taking every bit of self control not to roll my swag out and play the third wheel. 

Getting Started

These are a few of my favorite things.
As this is a blog about the journey of a birding beginner it is only fair to post my early equipment. I wonder if it will change over the years or if these early essentials will continue to be my go to.

I use a the Australian Birds Field Guide by Michael Morcombe. It was one recommended to me so I can not say I have compared it to many others, however I really do like it and find it easy to identify birds by the beautiful drawings and helpful info. It has a great section on nests which is great when looking for nests or looking at a nest with ma and pa on hunting and gathering duty. It is unfortunately to big for me to carry in the field and is kept in my car.

I take with me this same guide on a phone app which I love. The calls feature is especially useful and it is great being able to compare two birds on the same screen.

The large book is one I found at a second hand shop. It is outdated however still has great info. I love Michael Morcombes' beautiful photos and knowing  this is where he started out is inspiring. The Australian Bird Finder has great tips where to best locate species however does not give too much away leaving the reader with the challenge to go out and find the birds themselves. This is really is half the fun anyway isn't it? 

Tracks Scats and other traces is a handy field guide to identifying animals that have left you little clues. I enjoy looking up the bones, droppings and footprints just to see if I can work out the case of the mysterious visitor. It is a great size and also has a handy ruler on the back. I hope to use it for real one day but for now it's just a bit of fun.

I was recently given a pamphlet with the best known birding spots in my area (Lockyer valley region) pictured to the right. I was surprised to see the little and always deserted place I love featured. I had found this place by chance and am addicted to going there. I Can't wait to visit some of the other spots and hope for a chance very soon.

I was a bit spontaneous with my binocular purchase and did not look into it. I chose these because they were the cheapest ones that were recommended for bird watching. They are 10 x 50 LE Australian Geographic. They are very useful although as someone who enjoys taking photos of the birds I am a bit slack with the Bins. you can't photograph something you need binoculars to see ;) They have however done wonders for my identification and adding to my life list so in time I am sure my attitude will change as I grow more content to watch the birds from a distance.

The beginnings of an avian stalker.

I am a wildlife science student who began her degree with no idea about where she would like to be in the future, only that it was to be outside working with animals. Last year I studied studied a course called "Australian Terrestrial Vertebrates," known as ATV. Here I learnt to identify tracks, scats and other traces of wildlife. This means that each week I looked at bones and poo trying to identify what Australian animal it was from. I was one of those children constantly told to put that disgusting object down so naturally I took a liking to this subject. 

One part of the class involved birdwatching. We all borrowed binoculars and bird field guides and met up at the university lakes to identify the species we had seen and write about their behaviors as well as methods of identifying them. This class opened my eyes to the world of birds and since then I have not been able to stop chasing the thrill of observing a different behavior or spotting a new bird. I think my teacher would be surprised and probably happy to know how his lessons have stuck with me (based on my grades from that course ;)). I Still don't know exactly what I want to do in the future but I hope it has something to do with those flying feathered creatures.