Mistletoe(birds) for Christmas

I was on a mission to photograph a Crake or a Buff-banded Rail down at the Banyule wetlands today. I'd seen a Crake on a few occasions whilst walking the dog but never with my camera. I found it again today but it was so quick to dart into the reeds that I'd barely taken off the lens cap!

I continued on with a lap around the wetlands and down some tracks to the yarra. It was on this track

whilst watching a group of Thornbills flit around a small tree, that I noticed what looked like an old sock hanging from a branch. On closer inspection I found it to be an intricate nest woven from matted plant down and spider web. Then I noticed that the pear shaped nest was quite plump and occasionally moved!

I stood back, hiding in some bushes and waited. Soon enough I saw this!

Two little hungry Mistletoebirds stuck their heads out of the nest, eagerly awaiting mum or dad to come and feed them!

I stood as still as I could for about 30 minutes and watched as the mother flew in and out with berries to feed her babies.

Mistletoebird (female) with chicks, Dicaeum hirundinaceum

The female builds the nest entirely by herself with no help from the male. 

As the name suggests, they mainly eat berries from the Mistletoe plant. Unlike most birds, they lack the muscular gizzard (food grinding organ) so the berries pass through their digestive system relatively quickly. They are able to digest the fleshy outer parts of the berries but then excrete the sticky seeds onto branches which quickly germinate into new Mistletoe plants. This allows the plant to spread and ensures a close supply of berries for the birds.

Mistletoebird (male), Dicaeum hirundinaceum

Both parents normally help feed the chicks but I think Dad was too unsure of me hiding in the bushes to come too close.

In search of sea birds - Day 2

An early morning drive to the Nobbies started my day. As per usual it was quite windy!
The seagulls had taken over every spare patch of garden real estate to raise their chicks and they didn't go about it quietly.

Silver Gull, Larus novaehollandieae

Silver Gull (chick), Larus novaehollandieae

A Starling showed off it's metallic feathers in the sunlight.

Common Starling, Sturnus vulgaris

A little camera shy - or playing hide and seek?

Cape Barren Goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae

With the use of some binoculars I was able to identify another sea bird in the distance. Unfortunately my zoom wasn't big enough to get a good shot, but here are a few that I've zoomed in on. I'm going to tick the Crested Tern off my list but I plan on trying to get a better shot in the future!

Crested Tern, Sterna bergii

Crested Tern (breeding colony), Sterna bergii

Crested Tern, Sterna bergii

Pacific Gull (on nest), Larus pacificus

Cape Barren Goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae

As I drove around the back road from the Nobbies I saw a couple of Whistling Kites tussle in the air. I wish I had been closer!

Whistling Kite, Haliastur sphenurus

A group of young Purple Swamphens had just finished playing in the mud as I arrived.

Purple Swamphen (immature), Porphyrio porphyrio

White-browed Scrubwren, Sericornis frontalis

A family of Straw-necked Ibis stood in the sand dunes. They were hanging out with a group of White Ibis.

Straw-necked Ibis, Threskiornis spinicollis

I found a pair of Sooty Oystercatchers and Hooded Plovers down on the shoreline.

Sooty Oystercatcher, Haematopus fuliginosus

An article produced by the Phillip  Island Nature Parks about the Hooded Plovers says that they are listed as Vulnerable and less than 500 occured in Victoria in 2001. On Phillip Island between 1992 - 1998, bird counts decreased from 26 to only 11 birds. Immediately after, they formed the Hooded Plover Watch to protect nests and educate the public. Temporary beach signage, pest plant and animal control as well as dog control was introduced and they were rewarded with the best breeding season on record - 6 chicks fledged (compared to 13 in total over the previous 6 years combined.)

In the 2001/12 breeding season there were 37 nests, 31 failed, 85 eggs, 25 chicks and 12 fledged. This was actually a record number for them. Foxes, magpies and ravens were to blame for most of the nest failings.
As you can see in the photos, these birds are banded and used in the research.

Hooded Plover, Thinornis rubricollis

At Pyramid rock I found a quick little bird running around on the ground. I later identified it as an Australasian Pipit - tick!

Australasian Pipit, Anthus novaeseelandiae

I headed out to Cape Woolami for a walk and was greeted by another Pipit at the start of the track.

Australasian Pipit, Anthus novaeseelandiae

White-browed Scrubwren, Sericornis frontalis

It was very hot by this stage and the birds had sought shelter in the bushes. A variety of  butterflies were still enjoying the sunshine on the flowering canola and thistle plants.

Australian Painted Lady, Vanessa kershawi

Australian Admiral, Vanessa itea

Small White, Pieris rapae

Small White, Pieris rapae

By the time I got back down to the beach the tide was well out and the birds were feeding on the weedbeds. The Ibis were displaying black breeding plumage on their tails.

Australian White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca

It wasn't until I got home that I realised that these birds weren't Little Pied Cormorants but in fact Pied Cormorants which was another new spotting for me. Once again it's a shame they were such a long way away!

Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax varius

On my way home I stopped by the Fishers wetlands again. It was late afternoon and full of birdlife. These Black-winged Stilts were another tick to my list.

Black-winged Stilts, Himantopus himantopus

Black-winged Stilts, Himantopus himantopus

Australian Pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus

Australian Pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus

Purple Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio

Purple Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio

Chestnut Teal (male & female), Anas castanea

Just as I was about to leave I noticed a very large, goose-like duck. Once again it was a long way away but here is the zoomed in shot of a male and female Shelduck.

Australian Shelduck (female & male), Tadorna tadornoides

Australian Shelduck (male), Tadorna tadornoides

 A male and female Chat posed for me on the way back to the car.

White-fronted Chat (male) 

White-fronted Chat (female) 

All up it was a good weekend of walking and birding. I explored many new areas and managed to tick off another 8 species!