What Am I Missing

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November-Litchfield seemed very subdued, almost as if everything was on hold until the rains come. Plenty of marsupials (more Wallaroos than Wallabies) moving to and from water in the morning, but very little bird activity.
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Short-eared Rock Wallaby Petrogale brachyotis
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There were a lot of big grasshoppers; some appeared as small birds (wishful thinking perhaps) when they first took flight. Maybe it was because the early morning was burnt off so fast. By nine a.m. I was soaked and swimming through the atmosphere. Morning at this time of year seems to be between five thirty a.m. and eight a.m. sharp.
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Unidentified Caelifera
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Maybe its because there is permanent water all-year-round. Maybe its because it is distributed over a wide area so that the mosaic of birding territories are spread out. I am so used to constricted landscapes where artificially small territories are the name of the game.
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St. Andrew’s Cross Spider family Araneidae
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There were puddles of rain laying on the tracks so there has been some rain. Some plants growing a distance from the permanent creeks are flowering. I didn’t see any nectar eaters humming around or any insect eaters taking advantage of eating some of the invited guests to this special occasion.
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Bladderwort Utricularia fulva
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Crabs Eye Vine Abrus precatorius
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Cycad Cycas calcicola
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Ixora klanderana
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Bandicoot Berry Leea indica
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At Lost City, far away from permanent water streams I managed to see a couple of Grey Shrike-thrushes first on the rocky outcrops then in the tree tops. They were very wary and it was difficult to get near them. The only other bird experience was occasionally hearing a bowerbird rasping in the distance.
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Lost City
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Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica
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Interesting place at this time of year-more for what was not there than what was-I keep wondering what I am missing!
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A Weekend Of Nature

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It seems the NT environs are outstanding for the shear range of occupants and chances to see them up close and personal. Fogg Dam was alive with the sound of Rainbow Pitta and Yellow Oriole in the vine forest adjacent to the wetlands.
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Fogg Dam Vine Forest Floor
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Yellow oriole Oriolus flavocinctus
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Yellow oriole Oriolus flavocinctus
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Rainbow pitta Pitta iris
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We seemed to be the first walkers in the area as we had to push our way through countless spider webs laid across the path. Early morning stalkers were already on the move.
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St. Andrew’s Cross Spider family Araneidae
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Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianinus
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Little Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus
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We saw several plants starting to flower and add their scents to the exotic mix.
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Clerodendrum floribundum
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At the Fogg Dam wetlands the Lotus Lilly were spectacular and due to low water the bigger Brolgas were exposed, the Pygmy Geese close at hand and grass lovers very active.
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Lotus Lilly Nelumbo nucifera
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Brolga Grus rubicundis
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Green Pygmy Goose Nettapus pulchellus
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Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis
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The grasslands near Lee Point were echoing the sunset calls of Richards's Pipit while a Frilled Neck Lizard warms himself after a quick rain burst.
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Richards's Pipit Anthus novaeseelandia
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Whistling Kite Milvus sphenurus
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Galah Cocatua roseicapilla
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Frilled Neck Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii
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Varied Terrain

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While walking in the mangroves I saw a pair of Black Butcherbirds hopping on the ground. After several minutes they flew into the trees and started ripping up Green Ant nests.
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Black Butcherbird Cracticus quoyi
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Many trees in the mangroves are starting to flower. The Milky Mangrove was almost leafless with new growth which made it similar to Acacia flowers.
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Milky Mangrove Excoecaria ovalis
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Many insect eaters are taking advantage of the flowering by eating the insects invited to dinner.
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Grey Whistler Pachycephala simplex
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In the grasslands, further up the terrain, there are many large grasshoppers and many birds are feasting on them.
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Australian Kestrel Falco cenchroides
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There are many very fleet and shy birds who are most capable on foot or in the air.They are also occupying the grassland.
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Richards's Pipit Anthus novaeseelandia
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Little Curlew Numenius minutes
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Keeping a watchful eye on proceedings, this larger occupant may be the cause of several piles of fresh feathers strewn around the grasslands.
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Black Kite Milvus indus
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Heres To The Little Men

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I like these small birds because of their big attitude. They are often out there with their voices but retreat to fight another day.
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No matter what environment I am walking through these birds are always on hand.
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Varied triller Lalage leucomela eating
Native Cherry Exocarpos latifolius
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Very shy and usually presents with the front, this time the sheen of its back is iridescent.
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Forest Kingfisher Todirhamphus macleayii
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A puffed up feisty song and a quick escape artist.
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Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis Male
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This guy looks like he is going to drop from the sky at any point, he can’t fly far but soon I have covered kilometres trying to get a decent photo.
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Red-backed Fairy Wren Melurus melancephalus male
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The second time I have come across this bird and I believe I might now know its identity.
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Green-backed Gerygone Gerygone chloronota
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The Other Side Of The Road

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This morning’s walk was on the other side of the road I normally go to near Buffalo Creek. I was treated to a Leaden Flycatcher doing his morning stretching and general tidy-up.
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Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula Male
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As I moved from the Open Woodland to the Vine Forest a pair of Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves landed not far and after I spooked them I was able to keep track of them by following their flight and then listening to the quiet “cooing” they made trying to hook-up again.
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Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus regina
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After annoying them for an hour or so I ran into another Northern Fantail starting to nest. This must be the fifth nest I have seen.
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Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris
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I then walked to the Mangroves and spotted a unusual neighbour who has such a beautiful little song.
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Green-backed Gerygone Gerygone chloronota
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The White Mangrove was in flower and I enjoyed the Aroma Therapy without any pesky mosquitoes ruining the solitude.
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White Mangrove Avicennia marina
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