What birds are about?

Tom Clarke recently conducted a winter bird survey along Coal Point. Highlights of this visit were the discoveries of mixed foraging flocks moving through the shrub layer at the Carey Bay and West Ridge Central sites. At Carey Bay the flock consisted of Grey Fantail, four Yellow Thornbill (they love the casuarinas), Eastern Spinebill and three Golden Whistlers. This is the second winter record of mixed foraging flocks at this site so Carey Bay is showing some consistency in this regard. At West Ridge Central the flock was dominated by Silvereyes but also included three Golden Whistlers, Grey Fantail and three Brown Thornbills.

Another highlight was the discovery of a pair of Spotted Pardalote carrying out nest-building activities on West Ridge. These birds were stripping the fibre from a nearby Stringybark and carrying the nest materials to a burrow hidden beneath the base of a fallen tree. Given that nesting for these birds is usually in spring we are left wondering what may have triggered this behaviour.

Tom’s full report can be read online Birds of Coal Point Winter Survey.

There was more excitement in the world of birds… the Pacific Baza was about.

Below is an extract from a message from Liz Crawford dated Wednesday 16th July;

Nine Pacific Baza flew along the Coal Point ridge today, stopping to forage with wing-spread plunges into eucalypt foliage. Amongst the detailed information in HANZAB (Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds), there are notes that Bazas are

• "regular in gardens and orchards in urban areas, mainly in winter."
• "Wintering groups of 10-12 birds also noted in SE Queensland."
• "Hunt co-operatively , in pairs or groups of up to ten."
• "In eastern Australia, some birds appear to disperse during non-breeding season: in NSW recorded to 34-35⁰S in winter, 33⁰S in summer."

We have seen 2 and 3 Pacific Bazas flying past our house in the last couple of weeks, but today's big group was exceptional - although, as noted by HANZAB, such groups have been seen before!

Another Coal Point local, Rod Mackay spotted spotted a small flock (about 6) of Pacific Bazas on top of a large gum tree here at Skye Pt Rd. They flew off to the north just as I was hooking my camera up…A new tick is a great way to start a cold July day!

Image credit https://www.flickr.com/photos/
httpwwwflickrcomphotostopend/

Did you see them?

Following is a description from Birds in Backyards

The Pacific Baza is a medium-sized, long-tailed hawk with a prominent crest. It is slim-bodied, with a narrow head and neck. The wings are paddle-shaped, well-rounded and deeply 'fingered'. The head, neck and breast are grey and the underparts are white with bold dark banding. The legs are short with weak toes.

The Pacific Baza's favourite prey is large insects, particularly stick insects and mantids, and frogs. They sometimes eat fruit as well. Bazas will move through the canopy, or perch and watch, then make short dives, with feet extended, to snatch prey from the foliage or from the air.