Sitting tight

There are two Martin species in Victoria with pale rumps; Tree Martin and Fairy Martin. We stumbled upon a young Fairy Martin that tolerated close approach the other day. Sitting tight on the track ahead of us it posed well for photographs.

Evening hunter

We met an interesting chap from Devon last week. As we were chatting a Barn Owl started to hunt the saltmarsh in the late afternoon sunshine. As we watched it came nearer. Eventually close enough for a shot or two.

Make like a rock

As the Snow Buntings rose like a drift of flakes on the wind a darker mist followed them. No white on these birds, nondescript and silent they landed on the shingle and disappeared. As the flock of Twite rolled out onto the sea wall they took on that invisibility that small birds have when they are on the ground. Unless they moved they were undetectable. They were still there of course just unseen and so flighty there was no way they could be approached. I decided the best tactic was to let them approach us; which they eventually did.

peeping

Peeping out of a bush the other day was a lovely Red backed Shrike.

Everyone craves for the colourful males; and they are splendid. For me however, I like the tones and scalloped edges of the first year birds.