Birds in your Backyard

[Tread Lightly]

I reckon you're right. Back yards typically offer more varied habitat for a wider variety of birds at any one time whereas in the bush it tends to be currawong, ravens, the odd honeyeater, wedgies and wattlebirds depending on how high and remote you are. Campsites seem to attract some of the smaller birds - robins up at Pigsty Ponds for example. And I haven't yet seen any lyre-birds in the back yard - but mobs of them in the rainforest heading up to Moonlight Ridge as well as at Mt Wedge.

[whynotwalk]

Good to see lots of bushwalkers interested in birds. A few years back I wrote a book called "Habitat Garden: How to Attract Wildlife to Your Garden" (ABC Books). During my research for that I found that the single biggest factor in the number and variety of birds in backyards was the presence of water. Add to that plenty of nectar and other food sources, and plenty of shelter from predators (esp. cats!), and you've got a good recipe for having birds in your backyard.

One important aspect of that is the presence of under-storey plants, with layers between ground cover and upper storey plants. My brother in Sydney was commenting on the lack of LBBs (little brown birds) there. My educated guess is that most gardens lack an understorey, and go straight from lawn to trees. That doesn't provide suitable shelter and nesting sites for the LBBs. As an aside, I had to laugh when in Scotland I mentioned our use of LBBs as a term for the small birds we can't quite indentify. My Scottish host nodded and said "Aye - we call them WBJs ... wee brown jobbies".

cheers

Peter

[north-north-west]

I find it strange that I hear and see more birds in my backyard and immediate area than I see/hear when in the bush , what are your experiences.
c

There is nothing strange about it. The birds that visit your garden are used to the type of area where you live. They are more used to seeing humans than bush birds are. And you are probably far less active when you notice them than you would be out in the bush.
Wild animals are generally nervous of human activity and prefer to assume that a large moving animal is a potential danger. Seeing birds in the bush requires a great deal of patience and time spent as quiet and still as possible. Plus luck. Luck counts for a lot.

Personally, - no. I see heaps of birds out in the bush, large and small. Everything from Wedgies and other raptors to fairy wrens and scrub tits and thornbills etc. Here, we get ibis, ducks and the occasional spoonbill or grey heron, rosellas, sulphur-crests, galahs (GEEZ I HATE *expletive deleted* galahs!), crested pigeons, ravens, noisy miners, and billions of *expletive deleted* feathered cane-toads (ie: Indian mynahs). Every now and then there might be a falcon or black-tailed kite. Once or twice we've had Wedgies. And there are owls but you only see them when they try to commit suicide on your car at night.
And this is a semi-rural area.
Of course, the dogs, cats, horses and guinea fowl probably scare off most of the smaller birds.

[johnw]

We have two conifer trees in the front garden either side of the driveway. Around Christmas for many years these have been visited by Sulphur Crested Cockatoos to eat the cones/seed pods (making an awful mess!). The past few years I've noticed an increase in the variety and number of other parrots doing the same thing. Arriving home from work one day last week I was delighted to find at least a dozen Rainbow Lorikeets feeding, and these were soon joined by a similar number of Pink Galahs. You can imagine the noise!

Rainbow Lorikeets

Rainbow Lorikeets 1.jpg (40.98 KiB) Viewed 8744 times

Rainbow Lorikeets and Galahs

Rainbow Lorikeets & Galahs 2.jpg (37.81 KiB) Viewed 8744 times

[johnw]

Then I was outside earlier this morning and found a pair of King Parrots doing the same. Looking at the markings I think probably male and female. Spectacular .

Australian King Parrot

King Parrot 1.jpg (35.57 KiB) Viewed 8744 times

Pair of King Parrots

King Parrot 2.jpg (42.27 KiB) Viewed 8744 times

[ILUVSWTAS]

Gorgeous!
The Male is the one with the Red head. They are also slightly larger

[corvus]

Native birds in the Backyard are a joy to behold I just love them ,latest count Superb Fairy Wren,Fantail,Little Wattle Bird, Butcher Bird, Brown Thorn bill ,Spine Bill,Black Faced Cuckoo Shrike, Masked Lapwing.Yellow tailed Black Cockatoo, Gold Finch (yes I know it is introduced but beautiful to look at and listen to) and regular close overhead ones Swift Parrot ,Pied Oyster Catcher and Welcome Swallow not to mention the Silver Gull,Kelp Gull and Pacific Gull and I did spot a Tern the other day
Where I live in Tasmania is "paradise on earth" and dont get me started on our wild flowers /plants /trees and shrubs within my daily walking area .
Now for my special treat whilst taking my Son back to Queenstown ( he drives the West Coast Wilderness Railway Steam Train) just after crossing the bridge out of Tullah over Lake Rosebury we came across a young healthy Tasmanian Devil all lanky legs considering a Highway crossing in broad daylight I slowed the car and ensured that it did a quick retreat ,been here 40 + years, bush walk lots and this was a first for me,heard them never seen a live one out of a Zoo,so pleased that on my return trip there was no dead one on the side of the road
corvus

[ILUVSWTAS]

.Sulphur Crested Black Cockatoo,
corvus

Is this a breed between the Sulphur crested Cockatoo and Black Cockatoo??

I couldnt agree more though, we are very lucky here in Tasmania! I do love my birds

[corvus]

Possibly but in my enthusiasm to get to the Devil comment I had that which is an allowed a "senior moment" well yes its tail was yellow which is a Sulphur colour so can they now be "Sulphur Tailed Black Cockatoo" good pick up.
corvus

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hahaha!! Well thats right, they do have yellow tails.. from this day on I will think of them as sulphur tailed black cockatoos....

Like I said im a somewhat passionate birdos.... Raptors and Parrots especially.......

[Nuts]

(saw one dead young devil at Eriba and another at Golden Valley last week... obviously not good for the individuals but at least they are still breeding)

[corvus]

I also love Raptors and consider a walk as a plus when I sight (even on the drive to or from) Wedgetails which I am happy to note occurs more often in the NW and greater Mersey area now
corvus

[ILUVSWTAS]

That is good news!
I have seen more this year than ever actually! Theres 3 regular visitors to my little valley in the Huon. And have seen many on walks all through the Southwest this year!
We also have a resident White Goshawk that flies around the house chasing starlings. Scares the heck out of our poor chooks though

[stepbystep]

Hi Corvus,
If you are interested in birds and wildflowers a trip to the SW region of WA is well worth a visit, the most bio-diverse region on the planet, by far.
Birds - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bi ... _Australia
It's a strange place, you have to be still but the things that are invisible become apparent to those with the patience.
The silky gums within this region, also the largest unspoiled woodland on the planet are spectacular, particularly after rain.
A vastly under-rated region by bushwalkers because it is flat as a tack, with very little water, but well worth a visit and a long stay.
You won't see a wildflower display better anywhere on earth, and the birds come to feed.
http://www.wildflowerswa.com/en/default.htm
The Perenjori wreath-flower is particularly spectacular on the sides of the roads. http://www.perenjori.wa.gov.au/blooms/i ... Itemid=113
There are wonders everywhere(that we haven't screwed up).
Cheers,sbs

[Tasallan]

Several years ago I had a magnificent tawny frog mouth perch on my deck for the day and at dusk he flew off - see photo
Today I took this photo of two very tame bronzewing pidgeons. Also have heaps of different wattle birds, wrens and the occasional goldfinch.

[flyfisher]

Not exactly im my backyard but at my golf club ,North West Bay , we have a pair which come and go and have been around for more than 15 years.
As a friend and I were playing the 5th we saw them both sitting between the 5th and 6th where there is only short grass(no cover) and although 1 flew off while we were50 metres or so away, the other one stayed as we passed not more than 15 metres away. He was having a chew on a small wallaby and although he watched us closely, he stayed put as we played back up the 6th. Was a fascinating experience.

ff

[corvus]

On my daily walk area between The Mersey Bluff and Don Heads I encounter many birds (saw a shining bronze Cuckoo a few weeks ago) hear many see few and have a CD of bird calls to assist but at this time of year it is hard to pick one to give a positive identification
corvus

[ILUVSWTAS]

Not exactly im my backyard but at my golf club ,North West Bay ,

ff

Do you know Mick Stubbs?? Or Brett Partridge??

[stepbystep]

Several years ago I had a magnificent tawny frog mouth perch on my deck for the day and at dusk he flew off - see photo
Today I took this photo of two very tame bronzewing pidgeons. Also have heaps of different wattle birds, wrens and the occasional goldfinch.

Thats a wonderful shot of the tawny frog mouth, have only ever seen one in the GWTiers.
Thanks

[ILUVSWTAS]

Being a local SBS they can be found in the pines at ANZAC park

[flyfisher]

Do you know Mick Stubbs?? Or Brett Partridge??

Yeah, I know Mick and his son Andrew quite well.We have played pennant together, and have played against Huon Valley, Geeveston, Dover as well.
Don't know B P but know of him.

Good blokes all.

ff

[ILUVSWTAS]

Sure are! I now live in the valley, joined the club for one year but dont get time to play anymore. Played for div1 at Kingston for a number of years before membership got too expensive for the amount I was playing. My highlight was playing in the southern div1 final against Tasmania, we lost 6.5 to .5 and I got the half!! I was also 7 down after 21 holes......

I used to work with Mick, he is a great bloke!! Paired with him in a 2 man ambrose at NW bay one year where we shot a 66 for a 62. came equal second unfortunately.....

[corvus]

Had the privilege and pleasure to hear and observe for the first time ever in my 44 years of living in Tasmania a small group of three Grey Currawong it was their distinctive clink clank call that attracted me to them and each of them took turns to vocalise,I hope they decide to remain in this area less than 60meters from my house( Devonport near the Bluff) as they are a pleasure to listen to and watch
corvus

[Tassiedevil]

Hi Corvus,
Grey Currawongs have been on Kelcey tier for years. I have watched them move throught the canopy going through nest hollows, the swift parrots and blue wing parrots get a bit twitchy when they are in the area. They move down to the Don reserve and the Devonport late autumn just like the Eastern spinebill. I live in Sorell street Devonport and i have a Norfolk Island pine over the "back fence". The last few years a Grey Goshawk would perch on top looking for the next meal but this year a Australian hobby has taken up the perch looking for the next meal. 7.30am like clockwork. It might explain why the little wattlebird numbers have declined or might be the Grey butcherbirds in the area or both. Anyway it is great to see diversity in the birds in Devonport.

[corvus]

G'day Tassiedevil,
Many thanks for that information,plenty of Eastern spinebills round my garden along with Little Wattle birds and I regularly feed a family of Grey Butcher Birds.
Must take a trip up to Kelcey Tier for a good look around.
corvus

[Tassiedevil]

Hi Corvus, I sat at a spot on Kelcy Tier and managed to see all but 2 of Tasmania's endemic birds, great place for birds and wildlife. I have even got film footage of Tassie devils, plent of scats around.
Cheers
Tassiedevil

[frenchy_84]

Plenty of Rainbow lorikeets on Kelcey Tier too...

[corvus]

Plenty of Rainbow lorikeets on Kelcey Tier too...

Just learning about Birds and did not know they were residents here are they vagrant or have they become established?
corvus

[frenchy_84]

Plenty of Rainbow lorikeets on Kelcey Tier too...

Just learning about Birds and did not know they were residents here are they vagrant or have they become established?
corvus

Depends who you talk to. Some think that they are recent aviary escapees become established, others say that they have been in small numbers on the nw coast for 50yrs or more either aviary escapees or naturally occurring, others think they have flown over Bass Straight by themselves. Regardless of when and how they got here their numbers are increasing dramatically, they have populations on the NW and around Hobart and they are a serious concern regarding competition with natives particularly the highly endangered swift parrot.

[corvus]

Interesting they don't feature in my Tasmanian Bird books but are mentioned in the Readers Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds as being resident in the NW/NE of Tasmania,interesting thing is we seem to have over wintering Swift Parrots in the Devonport area , observed a couple feeding on old apples last winter and the two separate groups that overfly my house are still here.
corvus