Author Archives: Tara

Bruny Island Penguin Rookery

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In my other post, I mentioned that you will drive past a Penguin Rookery which is well signed.

P is for Penguin

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Penguins start coming ashore after dark.  Your lodge will tell you when to go as it varies at different times of the year.IMG_7653

They have excellent information about the Little Penguins as you enter the Rookery.  Entry is free and they have strict rules against flash photography.  I did the best I could while someone used a red lamp to highlight a penguin.  There was no moon and it was really dark.  We brought blankets from Captain Cook’s as it was pretty cold even in Autumn!IMG_7656 IMG_7657 IMG_7658

Sorry, this was the best I could do with no light!IMG_7654aSince I couldn’t get a good shot, this one from Wikipedia will have to do.

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Kingbird Highway: The Biggest Year In The Life Of An Extreme Birder

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Some of you may have seen the movie “The Big Year”, if you haven’t I highly recommend it!  While I am not into list counting or being competitive, it still makes a fascinating story!

Now revered as one of North America’s top birders, Kenn Kaufman hit the road at age sixteen and spent a year crisscrossing the country to see as many birds as he could, in a birding competition known as a “big year.” In what has become a classic among birders, this memoir chronicles the subculture of birding in the 1970s and a teenager’s search for his place in the world. In a new afterword, Kaufman looks at the evolution of bird-listing since his own big year.

 

In case you haven’t seen the movie………………………

This is my affiliate link, if you use it to purchase this book or any other on Amazon I will get a small commission at no added cost to you.  Thank you for your support!

Traveling During Hurricane Season

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Although most people will try to avoid visiting the Caribbean during hurricane season, especially if they are birding, sometimes you just can’t avoid it.  Maybe you can only find award seats then or you are combining a trip to the Caribbean with a family event or conference.  Last year, our trip to Belize in August was a calculated risk so we could stop in California over Labor Day weekend to visit family on the way back to Australia.  This also allowed us to get cheaper hotel rooms as we were traveling in the “Green season” but also managed to hit that lull in the rainy season that usually happens in August.  Conde Nast has some good links to check for weather advisories and other useful tips.

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Belize has in the past been hit by hurricanes but this is a rare occurence.  Most of our trip was inland for birding so my main worry was our flight to BZE being cancelled.  People who have diving or beach holidays planned might have other concerns.  We lucked out and had beautiful weather for our whole trip…………………but on the flip side, we were also covered by travel insurance just in case!

 

 

Tasmanian Native-hen (Tribonyx mortierii)

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The Tasmanian nativehen (Tribonyx mortierii) is a flightless rail and one of twelve species of birds endemic to the Australian island of Tasmania.  Other common names include narkie, native-hen, waterhen and turbo chook.

IMG_7681 IMG_7614The Tasmanian Native-hen is entirely confined to Tasmania.  They are easily seen wandering around the stream behind the Captain Cook Caravan Park on Bruny Island.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BIRD

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Tasmania Parks & Wildlife

VIDEO

Birding Bruny Island

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Bruny Island is on the bucket list of many birders for its rich and varied birdlife.  Inala has a good list of birds and mammals found here.  They can also provide accommodation and guided birding tours.

Being budget travelers, we birded independently as we drove south from the ferry dock.  Here are some of the best birds we saw (that I got pics of).

We saw our first Tasmanian endemic bird – Green Rosellas a few km before the Cheese shop.

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A small flock of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos were in the trees surrounding the Cheese Shop.IMG_7496a IMG_7527a IMG_7539a IMG_7549a

Assorted sparrows, LBJs and Fairy-wrens were at the Penguin Cafe hoping to snatch up leftover food.IMG_7569a IMG_7575a IMG_7579 IMG_7590 IMG_7591

The bright blue Superb Fairy-wrens are male, the brown ones are female.IMG_7594a IMG_7596a IMG_7599a IMG_7600a IMG_7644a IMG_7642a

We saw a Scarlet Robin in the Captain Cook Caravan Park grounds.IMG_7624a IMG_7617a

Moving down to the beach opposite Captain Cook’s we saw some black swans.IMG_7639 IMG_7637

Tasmanian Native Hens were in the grounds at Captain Cook’s.IMG_7614 IMG_7681 IMG_7659

These Green Rosellas were foraging at the entrance to Captain Cook’s.IMG_7666a IMG_7667a IMG_7683 IMG_7685 IMG_7687

We had almost given up hope for the Swift Parrots when a lady said she saw some near her cabin which was one of the cabins nearest the beach.  Sure enough, there was a Swift Parrot living up to his name by flying swiftly from one tree to another.  I did my best to get a good shot but he wasn’t going to make it easy!IMG_7703 IMG_7710a IMG_7716a IMG_7736 IMG_7739a IMG_7745a IMG_7746a IMG_7766a IMG_7770a

Video Workshop – Lenses For Bird Photography

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Grab a drink and a snack as this video on lenses using Canon gear is 2 hours long!  But there is an amazing amount of information here and the instructor has some gorgeous award-winning bird photos!

Towards the end of the video, around 1:50 he talks about traveling with all those heavy lenses on planes.   He has a different kind of vest which serves a similar function to my Scottevests.

Lodge Review: Captain Cook Caravan Park

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Captain Cook Caravan Park has something for everyone whether you just need space for a tent or caravan or want to relax in a fully equipped cabin.  Prices are pretty good so we went for the cabins and really enjoyed them!  Of course the biggest draw was the fact that Captain Cook’s is known for having Swift Parrots hanging around the grounds!

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There’s a good variety of cabins, some have 1 or 2 bedrooms, some have full kitchens and some have views of the beach.IMG_7610 IMG_7601 IMG_7609 IMG_7584

Kitchen and dining areaIMG_7585

Master bedroomIMG_7586

Extra bedroom with bunk bedsIMG_7587

BathroomIMG_7588Green Rosella near our cabin

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Swift Parrot flying swiftly through the grounds.

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Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor)

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The Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) breeds in Tasmania and migrates north to south eastern Australia from Griffith-Warialda in New South Wales and west to Adelaide in the winter. It is related to the rosellas, with the feeding habits of a lorikeet. It is the only member in the genus Lathamus.  The Swift Parrot is endangered with only about 1000 pairs remaining in the wild, and its population is declining.  They do live up to their name and were too swift for me to get a good shot on Bruny Island so I have to use the Wikipedia photo.

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Here are my feeble attempts.

IMG_7746a IMG_7739a IMG_7770aSwift Parrots have a large range during the non-breeding season as they migrate to the south and east coast of mainland Australia.  Many lucky Tasmanians have Swift Parrots coming into their backyards.  It is much easier to see them on Bruny Island in Tasmania where they breed and are easier to find.  Captain Cook Caravan Park in Adventure Bay has Swifties coming into the trees on their grounds.  Look for them on flowering gum trees.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT SWIFT PARROTS

Wikipedia

World Parrot Trust

Birdlife

Birds in Backyards

Tasmania Parks & Wildlife

 

VIDEO

Here’s an excellent mini-doco from NSW National Parks.

The Eponym Dictionary Of Birds

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Have you ever wondered where certain birds’ names come from?  Either the common name or the scientific name?  An example would be Kuhl’s Lory which is more commonly known as a Rimatara Lorikeet or in the native language Ura on Rimatara and Kura on Atiu.

This book has all kinds of bird name origins and the stories of those who named them.  It’s going on my Christmas list!

This is my affiliate link, if you use it to purchase this book or any other on Amazon I will get a small commission at no added cost to you.  Thank you for your support!