2010
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End of Year Birds 2010
Peregrine Falcon Had a nice outing with Michael Atzeni this morning. The highlight was the above Peregrine attacking a kestrel at Gowrie Junction. It happened very quickly as they appeared and scooted up and down and around before disappearing. I only got one shot. It would have been good to get both birds in the… Continue reading
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Swans and an Eagle.
The Whooper Swans are spread over the Sakata wetlands but move out to the ricefields by mid-morning. The main viewing platform of the reserve is a good place to watch them fly towards you and head over to the rice fields. White-tailed Sea-Eagle. I got the above photo on December 11th. It was a lucky shot… Continue reading
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In the Hearts of the Bean Geese.
Fukushimagata, (Niigata) is a wetland reserve about half an hour’s drive north-east of central Niigata city. I learned a bit about its history when I arrived in Niigata some years ago but unfortunately I’ve forgotten a lot of details. I have Japanese brochures from the visitor’s centre but the best information I can currently find… Continue reading
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Two Classic Aussies on the Wing.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. (Pittsworth, Queensland, January 6 2009) Little Corella. (Greenmount, Queensland, January 11 2009) Continue reading
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Woodpecker Pecking.
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Sakata, Niigata, April 3 2010). I was excited about this encounter when it happened but as with busi-ness and all it all but left my mind. I haven’t had too many encounters with woodpeckers in my life. I love watching them squinting and closing their eyes when they’re pecking. They’re delightful and… Continue reading
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Rough-legged Buzzard, January 2008 Niigata influx last…til now?
Rough-legged Buzzard. (Fukushimagata, Niigata January 15, 2008) I got a phone call Friday night from a Japanese friend who told me that two raptors of interest were at Fukushimagata. He translated the names from Japanese to English as a “Grey Harrier” and a “Fur-legged Buzzard”. I was a little confused at to which particular harrier… Continue reading
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Dinosaurs in the Backyard.
Bell’s Lace Monitor (Photographed December 30, 2009, “Tiddalac”, Upper Lockyer, Queensland). It was 1977 and Australia was playing against England in the Centennial Cricket Test. Although I was keenly following the events on the TV, it was very difficult to remain still for the entire day and I often ventured outside to bowl a tennis… Continue reading
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Osprey (Japan) versus Eastern Osprey (Australia).
Eastern Osprey, Pandion haliaetus cristatus (Cairns, August 2007) Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, (Japan – Fukushimagata, Niigata, April 2008). Have had a handful of close encounters with osprey both in Australia and Japan the last couple of years and thought I’d post some photographs for any keen-eyed observers. Australia’s osprey is now classified as “Eastern Osprey” –… Continue reading
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Guardians of Niigata – Northern Goshawks.
An adult Northern Goshawk at rest at Junsai-ike, Niigata (summer 2010) August is about the quietest time for Northern Goshawks in Niigata. There are some around but they’re hiding with their young in thick green trees that cover them from the heat. In the second last week of September I saw a clump of ducks… Continue reading
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Autumn Flycatchers
Asian Brown Flycatcher A collection of flycatchers are moving through Niigata at the moment. Apparently I missed a Japanese Paradise Flycatcher along with five Blue-and-white Flycatchers at Junsai-ike on Saturday. (was shown a nice pic of the former by a regular birder to Junsai-ike). The best I could do yesterday were these Asian Brown and… Continue reading
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A Family of Scholars.
Long-eared Owl A school (on the outskirts of Niigata City) has had its own pair of breeding Long-eared Owls for at least the last few years. There is currently a family of five, with the two adults and the three young of 2010. The school’s principal seems proud of them and takes photos of them almost daily. … Continue reading
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Fairy Fixations.
Male Superb Fairy-wren. I can find myself power walking along with world issues on my mind when hear a trilling bird call from shrubs or long grass. Suddenly I realise I’m carrying a large camera and I become transfixed on tiny, little elusive subjects with upright tails hopping about. I find myself fiddling with camera controls and stumbling… Continue reading
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The Tragic Nest.
This is a sad story but I’m posting it in the hope I’ll get some replies and learn what to do under similar circumstances in the future. Magpie-larks are very common in Australia and are also known in English by other names such as “Mudlarks” as well as “Pee-wees”, the latter being my favourite… Continue reading
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What’s in a Nest?
A retired Wedge-tailed Eagle’s nest. If only nests kept paper records. I wonder how many eaglets had become eagles in the nest pictured above? Can’t believe it’s already more than two weeks ago that Kay and Kevin took me to meet Lloyd and Lynne north of Toowoomba. Many thanks also to Lloyd and Lynne for… Continue reading
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More from the Lockyer.
(Above and below) Superb Blue Wren (male) at USQ Gatton Campus on Monday. Unfortunatley photographed into the sun. (Below) Striped Honeyeater at Apex Lake, Gatton also on Monday. (Above) Male Variegated Wren. Tiddelac, Upper Lockyer Valley. (Sunday afternoon) (Above and below) Wedge-tailed Eagle, Tiddelac, (Sunday afternoon) Common Brushtail Possum (Tiddelac, Sunday night) Continue reading
Russell Jenkins Stoop Files 