Friday, May 27, 2011

BRONZEWING PIGEONS
There are two Bronzewings regularly sighted in''My Backyard'',
although the Crested Pigeon makes a rare visit.These birds will
often visit local gardens where they are vulnerable to cats.


BRUSH BRONZEWING  Phaps elegans
This smaller Bronzewing prefers more dense scrubland where it 
searches for seeds dropped by various bushes.Size;30Cms

Thursday, May 26, 2011

COMMON BRONZEWING  Phaps chalcoptera
The largest of the two Bronzewings in this area,it prefers open scrubland.
Identified by the loud clapping noise of the wings on take off.Size;35Cms

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

SHORE LINE WADERS
These include Plovers,oystercatchers and stilts,all of which
nest on the ground or beach,making them vulnerable to
pedestrians,dogs,foxes and feral cats.

BLACK-FRONTED PLOVER Charadius melanops
Not common in this area but sighted occasionally on local
beaches in small groups resting and bathing.Size;17Cm

RED-CAPPED PLOVER Charadrius ruficapillus
The smallest of the plovers,prefers the water line of beaches
and swamps moving with short bursts of speed.Size;15Cm

MASKED LAPWING Vanellus miles
Also known as Spur-wing plover,prefers open spaces including
parks & ovals,an agressive bird when breeding.Size;35Cm

BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus
Also called Pied stilt and often confused with the Banded stilt,
it is a common wader,feeding on aquatic insects.Size;32Cm

Friday, October 22, 2010


SOOTY OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus fuliginosus
Often seen with Pied oystercatcher,but prefers rocky areas where it
overturns rocks feeding on small crustaceans.Size;50Cm

PIED OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus longirostris
Also named Redbill for obvious reasons,prefers intertidal zone of
beaches and mud flats where it searches for shellfish.Size;50Cm.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010


RUFOUS NIGHT HERON Nycticorax caledonicus
As the name implies,a night hunter,peering out from a
favourite day time roost in a Aleppo pine tree.Size; 60cm

WHITE FACED HERON Ardea novaehollandiae
Also known as Blue crane,a common shoreline wader.
Size; 60-70cm

GREAT EGRET Ardea alba
The largest wader to visit the area,hunting small
fish at Billy Light's Pt. Size; 1M

Monday, September 20, 2010

RAISING A FAMILY
Sping is a busy time of the year for most of the
birds that frequent My backyard

Young Western silvereyes help each other
with mutual preening

A Willy wagtail sits on eggs in a nest constructed
of cobwebs and fibres

A group of young Dusky wood-swallows enjoying
a preening session in the early morning sunshine

A male Yellow-rumped pardalote checks the vicinity is clear
before entering the nesting burrow to relieve the female

A Grey currawong keeps a beady eye on the camera
from the nest as she sits on the eggs

A Crested tern with a juvenile bird which has
been banded by N.P.W.S on a nearby island

A young Black-faced cuckoo shrike waits patiently
for the parents to arrive with food

Friday, September 10, 2010

COLOURS OF SPRING
Spring brings a variety of colours to the remaining
bushland of My Backyard

TWIGGY GUINEA FLOWER Hibbertia virgata
Ht-50Cm, Flowers-Spring, Photo-Billy Light's Pt

ERECT GUINEA FLOWER Hibbertia riparia
Ht-50Cm, Flowers-Spring, Photo-Billy Light's Pt

WOOLLY GOODENIA Goodenia robusta
Ht-30cm, Flowers-Spring, Photo-Billy Light's Pt

STICKY GOODENIA Goodenia varia
Ht-1M, Flowers-Spring, Photo-Billy Light's Pt

GOLDEN TIP CLOVER BUSH Goodia latifolia
Ht-1-3M, Flowers-Spring, Photo- Lincoln Cove

EGG & BACON FLOWER Daviesia asperula
Ht-1-2M, Flowers-Late winter, Photo-Parnkalla Trail

MALLEE BUSH PEA Eutaxia microphylla
Ht-75cm, Flowers-Spring, Photo-Parnkalla Trail

BRISTLY PEA FLOWER Pultenaea acerosa
Ht-75cm, Flowers-Spring, Photo-Billy Light's Pt

DROOPING VELVET BUSH Lasiopetalum baueri
Ht-75cm, Flowers-Spring, Photo-Billy Light's Pt

COAST VELVET BUSH Lasiopetalum discolor
Ht-1M, Flowers-Spring, Photo-Billy Light's Pt