Living postcard – Mid Autumn April 2022
Delightful wildlife amongst the forest
A living postcard with water bird and honeyeaters
After a very wet begining to autumn, there were some delightful bird life visited locally on Darug Country during my daily slow walks. These include the small Eastern Spinebill, The Dusky Moorhen and Lewin’s Honeyeater. They all look so at home in the environment and their unique features make them all special. The large Gymea Lilies and Banksia spinulosa var. spinulosa have very bright colouring and unique flower shapes.
What have you noticed on your walks in nature?
Nature Know
Eastern spinebill
These small delightful honeyeater has a fine long curved bill it uses to feed and extract nectar from flowers. Its shiny feathers and colouring make it very special to observe as it darts and feeds on flowers.
The delightful warm yellow and orange tones of the Banksia spinulosa (var. spinulosa) flowers – (inflorescences) were an attraction for the Eastern spinebill for its brimming nectar.
Dusky moorhen
The Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa has an ideal location on the fringes of the pond to probe amongst the sedges and other plants for invertebrates and pondweed for food.The Dusky Moorhen was making the most of its exclusive access to this rich array of water plants. Lots of rainfall has led to abundance of plant growth and small pond life. The plants and invertebrates thrive in this wet and shallow habitat.
Dusky Moorhens will also use this location to create a floating nest to lay their eggs and nuture them till they hatch into young.
Gymea Lily in flower in autumn
The Gymea Lily Doryanthes excelsa is a striking red flower found on Sydney sandstone bushland. Tolerant of fire the flower is an infloresence. The thick leathery petals ensure this flower lasts for quite some time.
As they normally flower in spring I wondered if this and the flower adjacent to it were a result of several months of rain.
Lewins honeyeater
The Lewin’s Honeyeater Meliphaga lewinii took some time on the branch to ruffle its damp feathers and take a rest. I felt honoured to watch it preen. Quite a large bird comparitive to others spotted in the area, it stops long enough to observe its activity and get photos on occasion.
This honeyeater feeds on small fruits, as well as nectar sources on flowers.
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