Australia - Perth - Kings Park and Botanical Gardens - Find The Frogmouth!

I was out at stupid o clock and took a lift to Kings Park and the Botanical Gardens. The aim of the day was to see Tawny Frogmouth which are not uncommon in Western Australia but are difficult to find. Having spoken to rangers working in the gardens I concentrated in the area of the mid canopy walkway which opens at 9am but today was open much earlier. The gardens are carefully arranged covering all the habitats across mainland Australia. Each area enticing different species of birds too it.

I met David an American birder who was also looking for this species. The sun was up and I decided to visit the water garden. Some ten minutes later I heard David calling me and a Frogmouth had been found by another visitor to the gardens in the area near the far entrance to the walkway. 

I hurried to the spot which was not far from the path and a Tawny Frogmouth was sat against the trunk of a tree. The bird was partially obscured by leaves that were swaying in the breeze but with the right amount of wind reasonable pictures were achievable. Unbeknown to me a better photo opportunity would present itself the following day at another site.

I left the Frogmouth returning later in the day to take some open eye shots but the sun was behind the bird and proved to be a bit tricky.

I stopped in Kings Park to have lunch taking advantage of a hours sunshine when a Laughing Kookaburra saw an opportunity to swoop in an attempt to take a sandwich out of my hand. Wow the bird perched above me on a branch waiting for the next chance to swoop! 

The bird did swoop again missing its target my lunchbox. Re-enforcements were called in as a Willy Wagtail came to my defense dive bombing and chirping at the Kookaburra. These events caused some amusement for a picnicking family nearby! I had a chuckle at the bird’s tenacity!

Corvids and Maned Duck also joined me during my break they obviously knew the quality of my cheese and smooth pickle sandwiches!

In the grassier area below the raised walkway I saw a pair of Variagated Fairywren both posing together long enough on a small branch.

There were areas of flowering plants attracting several White Cheeked Honeyeaters to them.

A couple of Western Corella announced themselves from taller trees. The blue eye-ring and patch below the eye confirming their identity.

Red Wattlebird was a common sight throughout the gardens but I was unable to find a similar Western Wattlebird which is shown on the gardens species list.

I have a couple of passerines to identify from small mixed flocks which always contained Silvereye and sometimes a Striated Pardalote which has proved to be difficult to photograph with only brief appearances in the open.

Pigeons in this region are also very colourful and sometimes difficult to locate despite calling regularly. This Common Bronzewing was just as cautious as I approached it have spotted it on the ground some distance away.

Another days great bird watching at a fantastic location. Kings Park is huge and the Botanical Gardens have a diverse range f plants. I would imagine it is busier at the weekend!