About 8 darting between the cobbles. Lots of preening. Also feeding. Both red and cream plumage individuals.
The Bandys have arrived back at the Avon / Heathcote estuary for another winter.
My guides say these brown cuckoo-doves are 'large', whereas I recall the birds as fairly small. They don't have any obvious head or neck markings, and are generally brown. They seem to be a pair.
Large black and white sea bird. Black runs across back from one wing to the other. Head is greyish and there is a white flash below the eye. Bill is alternately yellow and dark grey.
bellbird?
Flock of young ducks sticking close together. Orange feet on all of them.
Heard, saw and photographed a green parakeet in a native pocket of a pine plantation while out walking.
Fledgling dunnock?
Mallard or greylard?
Back at Queenstown Bay saw a Red-Billed Gull
Habitat - Urban
How many? - 4
Additional comments? - Group nesting by the side of the motorway. have been watching them for the last few weeks, but this time I was not driving and stuck in a traffic jam
Nest present - Yes
Behavior - Bird on nest
~20 birds, resting on tidal bay.
Dead fresh by stream. No injuries or damage could be seen. Body looked like s cramped style position. Lead poisioning have been found in birds in the area.
Juvenile flood refugee
This one and another walking alone down the path. Adults not present.
Habitat - Rural
Nest present - No
Behavior - Calling
How many? - one