I will be spending the next
three days on Bruny Island in search of Forty Spotted Pardalote, Scrubtit and
Morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae). The latter was considered as the same species
as the Southern Bookbook in Australia. Studies revealed it was more closely
linked to the boobook of New Zealand. Several books refer the Morepak as a Tasmanian
endemic but with populations in Tasmania and New Zealand is this reference now out
dated?!
I was on the first ferry to
Bruny this morning with Forty Spotted Pardalote high on the morning’s agenda. A
short drive from the ferry to the quarry before Dennes Point had me searching
the very tall White Gum trees for this species. As the sun rose and cast some
warmth on the tree tops the birds came to life with several Pardalote chasing
around in the canopy. This was neck breaking stuff and a brief sighting of two
birds kept me focused for the tricky part. Photos!
There were Spotted Pardalote (juv) present but they were less active giving plenty of time once in view for shots. Thanks Paul!
The Forty Spots were a different ball game. A check through the binoculars and
then on to the camera was taking too long and the birds had moved on by the
time focus was gained through the foliage.
Plan B came into effect which
was a bit hit and miss with numerous disasters viewed through the back screen.
The results themselves were not great but I concluded it was better than
nothing at all! One more endemic seen with Scrubtit and maybe possibly a Morepork
too add as the night bird.
Swift Parrot has been seen
briefly but I would like some pictures of this species. I can see why they are so
aptly named whizzing through trees at a rate of knots!
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