Back yard birding thread... (Corona virus restrictions)

[Caracal]

Since May 2020 I've been writing an article on local birds in our town's monthly newsletter. For February's newsletter I wrote about King Parrots. They must have heard me as they visited our garden on Wednesday Feb 2.

This one taken through the Kitchen's doubled glazed glass door.

 

I then walked outside and took this photo. John had just got back from walking the dog but the parrot was unconcerned.

 

Then perched on the fence for a while before heading off.

 

 

 

[xelas]

Our backyard garden is not as colourful as some others but with 26 species observed from January 1st, it does offer a never ending flow of hungry birds. Mostly Sparrows but also some less frequent visitors. Not all of them stays long enough for a photo to be taken. This year the big surprise was an Eurasian Jay. Too shy to stay long enough for a photo.

 

 

Several Nuthatches lives nearby so is already habituated to the feeder. 

 

 

 

The Collared Dove has built their nest above the balcony, second or third year in a row. I hope chicks will be able to fly out safely. While mom is in the nest, pop is watching her closely.

 

 

 

Also Blackbirds must have a nest in the vicinity as a pair is seen daily; both are using the birding bath for drinsking and showering.

 

 

 

Dunnock is mostly seen on the ground and in the shade. This one made an exception, and I was lucky to have the camera nearby.

 

 

 

 

On the other side, Chaffinch is hanging in the branches. Male is showing off his spring edition.

 

Edited March 21, 2022 by xelas

[JohnR]

Very nice @xelas we have had all those in my garden in recent days, plus a couple of less frequent visitors

 

Black cap (Sylvia atricapilla*)

Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla*)

 

 

*For @Tom Kellie

[Caracal]

A pair of Eastern Rosellas taken through double glazed lounge windows

 

 

[KiwiGran]

On our regular walk today I was delighted to observe a Shining cuckoo, Maori name Pipiwharauroa Chrysococcyx lucidus. They are one of my favorite birds.

They arrive here in New Zealand in Spring usually late September, migrating from the Solomon Islands. As with

most cuckoos they are brood parasites laying their single egg in a Grey warblers nest (Gerygone igata). I always rejoice when I hear the first call of the season and have been lucky enough to see one on several occasions. At our previous home they used to occasionally strike the windows but thankfully apart from being stunned for a while were able to fly away after a rest.

Here are photos of one on our deck.

 

 

We have seen the young in the garden being fed by their foster parents who are a fraction of their size.

We observed the one today for some time but I didnt have the camera and it was high up in the trees but here is a photo of one in the tree taken from our deck.

 

[xelas]

One regular visitor to my garden: Great-spotted Woodpecker. Yes, we have snow this year! Happy New Year 2025!