Tyto Wetlands (Part 2)

...more birds from Tyto Wetlands (see Part 1)

I was lucky enough to capture a basking freshwater turtle and a male Australian Darter in the one image.

Australasian Darter, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

After the turtle departed, the Darter remained, in all his glory.

Australasian Darter, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Comb-crested Jacanas were seen in several places and this one allowed close approach while it hunted among the lily pads.

Comb-crested Jacana, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Red-winged Fairy-wrens were seen in many places but their perpetual motion and proclivity for remaining in the centre of bushes made them difficult to photograph.

Red-backed Fairy-wren (male), Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Red-backed Fairy-wren (female), Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Both Varied Triller and White-winged Triller calls were heard and this male White-winged Triller in breeding plumage cooperated nicely for some close-ups.

White-winged Triller (male), Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Willie Wagtails were seemingly everywhere and this one posed nicely so I couldn't resist a quick snap.

Willie Wagtail, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Several pairs of Masked Lapwings had small chicks and this adult was captured uttering the "duck and cover" call.

Masked Lapwing, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Pied Currawongs could be heard in many places around the wetlands but it wasn't until I was back in the car park that I managed to find one close enough to photograph and, in this case, I almost had too much lens needing to take several steps backwards to get the whole bird in the frame.

Pied Currawong, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Tyto Wetlands (Part 1)

I spent a fantastic weekend in Ingham with the BirdLife Photography group. This is my first time this far into North Queensland so it was a great introduction to the local birdlife with 4 new species for my lifetime list on the first morning at Tyto Wetlands :-)

Before we had even left the car park, I had my first lifer for the day

Pied Imperial Pigeon, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

The mown grass along the edge of the tracks proved to be a good location for several species including the gorgeous Peaceful Dove,

Peaceful Dove, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

while the branches of nearby shrubs provided perches for two more lifetime firsts.

Brown Honeyeater, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Crimson Finch (male), Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

The open water of the ponds didn't provide much in the way of birdlife but a solo Green Pygmy Goose cruised past, while I was searching the edges, albeit a long way away.

Green Pygmy Goose, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

The edges proved more fruitful with sightings of several Comb-crested Jacanas and my first ever White-browed Crake, which walked out of the reeds directly in front of me.

White-browed Crake, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

and a Yellow Honeyeater (lifer no. 4 for the morning) took a bath in the adjacent pond and perched precariously on a lily flower stem to shake itself dry.

Yellow Honeyeater, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

We saw several oriole nests along the tracks and finally came across one being tended by a pair of birds.

Olive-backed Oriole, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

As we arrived back at the car park at the visitor centre, a flock of Plumed Whistling-Ducks flew into a pond and I couldn't resist a few shots.

Plumed Whistling-Duck, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

... Part 2