Lessons in flying

We are fortunate to have a pair of Wedge-tail eagles Aquila audax, whose territory includes our property and they are sighted most often when they are raising a young one. The food demands are high and usually they get ample from kangaroo, wallaby or deer road kill, but also they are very efficient hunters of young wallabies and kangaroos, as well as other small animals. The hill on our property is a favourite for the lift they get from  our  prevailing summer wind, which enables them to soar to height so they can glide to their next destination. We have seen them with their young most years and they have been around the past week giving flying and hunting lessons to their latest offspring.

Parent and young (right) in formation (other parent out of shot)

The youngster banks a turn

A young bird after take off in 2007

Alpha ready for any beta

Eastern Grey Kangaroos Macropus giganteus giganteus keep in family groups with a dominant alpha male claiming mating rights for as many females as he can keep under control. This is the alpha male, with one of his females,who had is family grazing on one of the areas of slashed grass on the property. Unlike the wallabies that tend to have a varied diet of plants , the kangaroos are basically grass feeders. The numbers in our area have rapidly grown  as more of the small acreages keep much of their property mowed increasing the available food and large numbers can be seen on a daily basis in the local district. The main cause of death before old age is generally road kill as they are unpredictable near roads and will often jump into the path of a vehicle.

Looking out at a new world

After some 200+ days in the pouch it can get a bit cramped and it must be a bit of a relief to stick your head out and get a look at the world; if it is a bit scary you just duck back into the safety of the pouch where you can also get your food. This little Red-necked Wallaby is just old enough to start seeing what is happening outside the pouch but as yet not old enough to venture totally out. One of the benefits of being carried around in the pouch is seeing closeup what are mum's favourite plants to eat, what scares mum and what other creatures are around even funny two legged ones.
The Red-necked Wallaby Macropus rufogriseus banksianus is one of our two resident Macropods, the other being the Eastern Grey Kangaroo. Generally you can expect to see a few every day but at present we have a number of females with young at the stage of leaving the pouch and they like to stay close to the house as they have learnt that it is generally a bit safer from their predators Wedge-tail Eagles and Dingos.

A day for the pool

Yesterday's weather was hot and humid and we weren't the only ones thankful for a splash in the pool and our bird bath had a workout through the day as our feathered friends flew in to cool off. The various techniques for having a splash go form the quick dive in and out through to the all in and get totally soaked. Some make just a quick visit have a splash and go where others stay around for awhile to make a number of dives in and out.

Striated Thornbill  has a good soak

Little Thornbill tests the water

Just right for a splash

A Grey Fantail has a paddle

Check it out

Go for it

Yellow Robin ready for another dip

A Dollar on the line

Another summer visitor, the Dollar Bird or Roller spends a lot of time sitting on the wires or high branches keeping watch for any insects to hawk. The common name "Dollar Bird comes from the pale blue spot seen under the wing as they fly overhead, that was like a "silver dollar" and the name "Roller" from their aerobatics whilst hunting. They range over northern and eastern Australia during summer and migrate to New Guinea and other northern islands in Autumn through to late Spring.