Hi Twitchers and Bird Fans - Ranger Bec back again with your eagerly-anticipated August birding update.
With spring just around the corner, our local feathered friends have lost no time at all practicing calls, making nests and grooming plummage in the hope of another successful relationship - now that's what I call love, birds!
The smaller birds around the resort put on the biggest show for the month with the Red-backed Fairy Wrens, Red-browed Finches and Welcome Swallows (see pic) taking the limelight on several occasions much to the delight of our early morning twitchers.
The local Leaden and Restless Flycatchers added to the competition when it came to morning calls - often heard as a far pitch about the rest. Even Willy Wagtails joined in the excitement, swishing their tails in a flurry of feathered dancing.
With the local Eucalypts coming into a second flowering state for the season, Rainbow and Scaly-breasted Lorikeets and the occasional Pale-headed Rosella were spotted throughout the canopies tucking into the fresh nectar on offer.
Honeyeaters of every shape, size and colour made full use of the fresh wildflowers starting to appear through the Wallum and, when none were available, made short work of the insects in the vicinity.
By far the highlight of the month was another sighting of the elusive Black Breasted Button Quails (BBBQ) - much to the delight of our Resort GM and birding fanatic, Ivor Davies - who snapped busily away with his camera.
A male and female BBBQ were spotted busily foraging in the undergrowth and perfecting their platelet technique in time for the springtime. Fingers crossed for another successful breeding season for them.
With a flurry of feathers and the cooler conditions well and truly gone - we head into the most exciting time of the year for us twitchers. Spring is well and truly on the way and by the looks of it - a touch of love is already in the air for our local feathered friends.
Until next month - Hooroo from the Bird Guru and keep on twitchin'.
Howdy Tree huggers - Ranger Bec here with your night walk wrap up for August. Those cooler August nights started to disappear mid-month as we moved closer to spring... and those warmer nights certainly didn't curb the behaviour of our local nocturnal wildlife.
With the warmer nights and the occasional damp weather pattern, spider spotting became the trick of the day. The local Golden Trapdoor spiders (these spiders are often mistaken for Funnelwebs - but their bites are not dangerous) kept groups entertained throughout the month, with females often seen sitting patiently on their funnel-shaped webs waiting for an unsuspecting insect to walk by. Their speed and accuracy in attaining their prey was a true spectacle to witness.
Also vying for our attention on the ground were the ever present local Bandicoots. These delightful creatures have the ability to hear their insect prey under the ground without having to see them - this usually makes it difficult for us to get a clear viewing. However the Bandicoots spotted of late seem to be more preoccupied with hunting their prey and not with the dozens of prying eyes from our fascinated guests.
Our resident Micro Bats once again took control of the sky show with several spotted on a nightly basis showing off their flight skills in amazing displays of agility and tenacity whilst chasing moths. The Squirrel Gliders and Feathertail Gliders tried hard to compete for the spotlight after a few tremendous glides from tree to tree in full view of our night walk guests - they certainly stole the limelight on several occasions.
All in all, the night walks seem to be getting better and better. With warmer weather on the way, we are starting to spot more of the local frog, reptile and spider species at the resort. Not to be outdone, the local gliders are not ready to give up the limelight just yet.
And in other news - out on Fraser Island dingo whelping season has begun and will run through until November. During this time it is important for dingoes to learn natural hunting and survival skills and to avoid habituation with humans - so stay dingo safe on Fraser!
Stay tuned and hope to see you on a night walk at Kingfisher Bay soon.
Ranger Bec
Hi Twitchers and Bird Fans - Ranger Bec back again with your eagerly-anticipated August birding update.
