Bird antics over Spring/Summer 2001/2002 by Jenny Edwards At the Buchan Caves Reserve in October 2001 we observed some interesting bird behaviour as a Pied Currawong came to sit on a branch close to the vehicle - obviously in the hope of picking up a free feed.

Large-leaf Ray-flower (Anthocercis frondosa) Mt. Steve 20/11/02

Two smaller birds were dive bombing the Currawong and it was some time before we could identify the unfamiliar alarm call. They were in fact a pair of Olive-backed Orioles, maybe defending nest site in the old plane trees overhead.

Despite the disparity in size, the Orioles were very bold, repeatedly diving on the Currawong with a strange alarm call and much clicking of beaks. The Currawong looked harassed, but stood his ground, ducking as they flew over. On one occasion he retaliated and was rewarded by a beak full of Oriole feathers, which interestingly, he placed on the branch beneath one foot. I only hope that when we left, the Currawong will have done so too, looking for more easy pickings and leaving the distressed Orioles in peace again.

On a Bushwalk in early December, as we sat beside a High Country lake, we were entertained by a Sacred Kingfisher who was first observed on an overhanging branch calling repeatedly and flying down over the water to catch insects. The beautifully clear markings and brilliant blue/green were so clear through the binoculars, however it flew even closer to call and feed again, so even without binoculars viewing was excellent. It then flew high onto a dead branch on a large tree nearby and much to our excitement, entered a hollow - we presume to a nest site!

Over the summer we have had some interesting observations with nesting Flame Robins in Alpine areas. The first nest was spotted on the News Year trip near Dinner Plain. Here the nest was placed on the ground amongst grasses and leaves of silver daisies, beneath the leaning trunk of a snowgum. Very sheltered, however seemed so vulnerable on the ground and right beside a busy track used by both bushwalkers and horse-riders. We observed both the female and male robin in attendance near the nest and as we waited at a distance the female went back to sit on the nest. There were two chicks in the nest which on another visit later in the month were well feathered. I did not visit the nest again until after the chicks would have fledged for fear of disturbing them, so can only hope they both made it to independence. Another flame robin nest was observed in low shrubs growing over rock on a bank beside the road near Mt. Hotham. Again this nest would have been very prone to disturbance as it is beside the car park for a very busy walking track. In late January we observed two chicks again, and also well on the way to being feathered. Another interesting nest site was seen near Dargo in February. It had the appearance of a Robin’s nest and was built on the trunk of a Stringybark tree about 5 foot from the ground, where a strip of bark had come loose from the tree. The nest was built between the bark and the trunk. This nest was empty, although looked as though it had been well used in the preceding month.

For the second year running Gang Gang Cockatoos were observed feeding on a dam near Dinner Plain. The birds were sitting on branches in the water pulling up Water Milfoil, holding it in their claws and nibbling the roots off, discarding the tops.