Birds still breeding in the Marshes

The Gibson Way through the Macquarie Marshes was partly accessible last weekend, so we ventured off to see what we could see.

We parked on the edge of the road at a causeway and relaxed in our camp chairs with coffee, being thoroughly entertained by the bird world going about their morning ablutions.  Sitting quietly, we became part of the scenery, and the birds ignored us.  There's something extraordinarily special about unobtrusively blending into nature and being accepted by the wildlife just as a rock or tree would be part of their world.

Red-rumped Parrots splashed around bathing like a group of happy kids, but the Blue Bonnets were much more reserved and cautious, coming in for a quick drink in the cover of the shade. A Sacred Kingfisher swooped from the sprawling branches of a River Red Gum, scattering the parrots.

The Grey-crowned Babblers appeared not to have the time for bathing or breakfast as they worked industriously on a new nest overhanging the creek - back and forth, back and forth, with grass and twigs dangling from their beaks.

Apostlebirds, however, always have time for play - I sneaked a peek behind me when I heard their squabbling chatter closing in on us, and they stopped and looked quizzically at us, hopping a little closer.  All of a sudden, one after the other, they sprang up and over us, landing just in front of us, and waddled on down to the water.  They remind me of a cranky old school headmistress with hands on hips striding up to a group of naughty kids ready to scold and shake the finger.  I always laugh at their comical behaviour.  And then they really got down and wet larking around in the water.

Plumed Whistling Ducks wheeled low overhead, whistling as they went, landing amongst the reeds.  An occasional noisy kerfuffle announced the presence of numerous Coots and water hens busy with life amongst the waterlogged vegetation, and fluffy striped Australasian Grebe chicks would glide into sight closely followed by a protective parent.

And I don't think I've ever seen so many dragonflies in one place - the causeway was like a dragonfly highway as they chased each other, many in joined pairs, in a race to take advantage of the glorious flooding.  Raptors circled low in the air currents, and the 'gonk. . .gonk' of frogs was a constant background chorus.

Nature in all it's bountiful glory - what a memorable coffee stop that was.

Red-rumped Parrots really enjoy their bath

Blue Bonnets are more careful, just taking a drink, and then they're gone

There was still so much breeding happening, and it was such a delight to see ducklings everywhere.  We're not familiar with breeding habits of ducks, but one sighting of Hardheads really has us scratching our heads.  One female Hardhead had 26 ducklings around her, all of the same stage in development.  This poses some interesting questions:  Do Hardheads 'steal' chicks like the Australian Wood Duck? Or do the Hardheads operate creches whereby a 'babysitter' takes on nursery duty while others feed? Or do Hardheads lay eggs in  nests other than their own like some other waterbirds whereby they don't 'put all their eggs in the one basket'?  If any readers have any experience or knowledge about the Hardheads' breeding behaviour, I'd be extremely grateful to hear about it - thank you.

Mother Hardhead with 23 of the 26 duckling in her care

Dad and mum Blue-billed Duck with their one and only youngster

One of the 5 families of Pink-eared Ducks we saw

Talk about cute. . . .

A full list of the 58 species we noted on the visit to Macquarie Marshes is here.  There were several birds we didn't identify including a few species of raptor, as well as small birds.  The many Nankeen Night Heron, both adult and juvenile, were especially beaut sightings for us.