It came down onto our verandah and started screeching, then grabbed an orange.

“The Darter is a large, slim water bird with a long snake-like neck, sharply pointed bill, and long, rounded tail. Male birds are dark brownish black with glossy black upperwings, streaked and spotted white, silver-grey and brown. The strongly kinked neck has a white or pale brown stripe from the bill to where the neck kinks and the breast is chestnut brown. Females and immatures are grey-brown above, pale grey to white below, with a white neck stripe that is less distinct in young birds. The Darter is often seen swimming with only the snake-like neck visible above the water, or drying its wings while perched on a tree or stump over water. While its gait is clumsy on land, it can soar gracefully to heights on thermals, gliding from updraft to updraft. It has a cross-shaped silhouette when flying.”Write about your encounter here

We now have a magnificent pair of Brahminy Kites nesting on Dangar Island. It is unusual to see them this far south as they are usually seen in coastal areas in the northern part of Australia. They only live along mangrove lined coastal inlets and feed primarily on fish and scraps. To find food they soar in low tight circles, usually at less than 50 meters altitude. In Australia they are solitary and pair only for breeding. The female does all the incubating and brooding, while the male hunts and brings food to her. The Brahminy Kite is a large bird up to 510mm in length with a white head, neck and mantle. The back and shoulders are a magnificent chestnut brown colour. We are so fortunate to have this pair on Dangar Island at the moment. Most days they can be seen soaring over Mareela Reef searching for food. This is another reason that our mangroves and reef are so important.Write about your encounter here

Write about your encounter here

Saw the Brahminy kite hunting over the BMC

We've all seen and heard the cheeky local kookaburras. This one decided to help me with the washing.

We've all seen and heard the cheeky local kookaburras. This one decided to help me with the washing.

The Grey Tailed TATTLER is a small bird which flies all the way from Siberia. Not often seen in the Southern States, the first time I saw it was in 2020, then again in 2022 and again in 2023, roughly at the same time of year.

I first saw the Pied Oyster Catcher in September 2000, then in 2009, 2015 and every year since. There seems to be a family here now.

I first saw the Great Egret in March 1999, then again in May 2022 and then again in March 2023. Each time near Mareela Reef. Pho

A pair on the water line that flew away with their long red legs dangling behind to resettle on the beach behind us.

I first saw the Osprey in 2017 sitting on our flapole. Then again in 2021 and twice in 2023. He likes to sit on the flagpole and groom himself.