Late to the party ... Sharon's first attempt

[shazdwn]

The sun came out today so we headed about an hour out of Darwin to a place called Fogg Dam.  Fogg Dam started its life in 1956 as part of a rice growing project.  The project failed, many say it is because the native Magpie Geese ate all the rice, but the real reason had more to do with the distance of Darwin from markets and poor transportation options (although I'm sure the geese did have a good feed).  The original levee bank remains, but nature has taken over the rest.

 

Despite this week's rain we have had a very poor wet season so far, and the water level was much lower than I expected.  As a result the usual wetland birds were either absent or too distant for photographs.  Luckily the woodland birds made it worth the drive.  

 

37) Crimson Finch - Fogg Dam Nature Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 23/02/20

 

Male and female

[shazdwn]

Unfortunately the light was not on my side so the ISO was pretty high on some shots

 

38) Rufous-banded Honeyeater - Fogg Dam Nature Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 23/02/20

[shazdwn]

39) - Forest Kingfisher - Fogg Dam Nature Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 23/02/20

[shazdwn]

40) - Blue-Winged Kookaburra - Fogg Dam Nature Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 23/02/20

[shazdwn]

41) - Willie Wagtail -  Fogg Dam Nature Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 23/02/20

[shazdwn]

42 - Red-Tailed Black Cockatoos (male and female) - on the road to Fogg Dam Nature Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 23/02/20

[PeterHG]

That Crimson Finch is really amazing!

[shazdwn]

I have to say, this big year stuff is pretty addictive .  Too bad I have to work during the week.  But its the weekend so...

 

43) - Bush Stone-curlew - Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 29/02/20

Edited March 1, 2020 by shazdwn

[shazdwn]

44) Masked Lapwing (also known as Spur-winged Plover - you can see why on the second shot) - Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 29/02/20

Edited March 1, 2020 by shazdwn

[shazdwn]

I'm not a big fan of birds on a wire - but I'm going to use some here to get these species on the board

 

45) Long-tailed Finch - Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 29/02/20

Edited March 1, 2020 by shazdwn

[shazdwn]

46) Double-barred Finch - Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 29/02/20

Edited March 1, 2020 by shazdwn

[shazdwn]

I would likely have had more to show from yesterday's morning session if I hadn't have been distracted by this non-bird on the local high school oval

 

Frilled Lizard

[shazdwn]

On the way home from the gym yesterday I spotted this wet season migrant around the corner from my house, so I ran inside, grabbed the camera and went to add it to the list before the wet season ends

 

47) - Dollarbird - Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 29/02/20

[shazdwn]

A quick afternoon stop produced just a couple of extras

 

48) Magpie Goose - East Point Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 29/02/20

 

[shazdwn]

49) Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - East Point Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 29/02/20

 

[shazdwn]

A pretty one for my half century

 

50) Red-collared Lorikeet - East Point Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 29/02/20

[shazdwn]

And just one from today

 

51) Pheasant Coucal - Gunn Point, Northern Territory, Australia 1/03/20

Edited March 6, 2020 by shazdwn

[Kitsafari]

An excellent pick for your  50th count asnd charts on achieving it. So brilliant to see the birds of Australia. 

 

A stunning crimson finch

Is the dollarbird the same species as the oriental dollarbird we have here?

[shazdwn]

4 hours ago, Kitsafari said:

An excellent pick for your  50th count asnd charts on achieving it. So brilliant to see the birds of Australia. 

 

A stunning crimson finch

Is the dollarbird the same species as the oriental dollarbird we have here?

Thanks @Kitsafari

 

Yes same dollarbird. Our population breeds in Aus in the wet, but heads to Papua New Guinea and surrounds in the dry

[PeterHG]

Many interesting additions again and very good photos, too! That lizard is amazing!

[Peter Connan]

Beautiful birds!

[TonyQ]

Welcome (sorry, a bit late!). I have really enjoyed seeing your birds, and your beautiful photos. Well done on reaching 50 so quickly.

And yes, it is addictive.....

[shazdwn]

Thanks for the comments and encouragement everyone 

 

A couple from the backyard tonight

 

52) Figbird - Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 3/03/20

[shazdwn]

53) - Bar-shouldered Dove - Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 3/03/20

[shazdwn]

54) Brown Honeyeater - Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 3/03/20