Tuesday 15 July 2008

In which I consolidate my reputation as the world's second worst birdwatcher

Forgive my absence. I've been trapped in the gill net of work. You know how it is.

Since I returned from my northern adventure, my camera has done nothing but gather dust. (Along with my brain.) (Metaphorically, obviously. I don't keep my brain uncovered on a shelf. That would be careless.)

Anyway, it's time to get back into exploring the natural world — even if it is the middle of winter. I'm hoping to squeeze in a trip to the Wimmera (SW Victoria) before semester starts. At the very least, I should nip down to Serendip Sanctuary to photograph the waterbirds. (Or just the water. There ain't much of it around.)

And on the subject of birds, here's a confession that may promote (demote?) me from the rank of world's second worst bird watcher to the number one spot.

I was reading about Cape Nelson, a place that I've visited on several occasions. Every time I've been there, I've seen what look like female blackbirds scuttling through the heath near the lighthouse. It's just occurred to me that they're probably not blackbirds at all but rufous bristlebirds (Dasyornis broadbenti), one of our southern endemics.

And by 'just', I mean about fifteen minutes ago. Only three and a half months after my last trip.

*face palm*

There's only one thing for it. I'll have to go back to Cape Nelson to check.

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ETA: How did I miss out on linking to Duncan's t'riffic photos of rufous bristlebirds? Now picture these birds skulking in the vegetation rather than hanging around the Point Addis carpark and you'll see what I mean about the blackbird thing.