Looking for a Long-Toed Stint

At the end of February a Long-toed Stint was spotted at Seaford Swamp by Sean Dooley and Andrew Silcocks on a Birdlife survey. I'd been hoping to see one of these little guys. I'd learnt at different wader ID things that they look like mini Sharpies - sounds cute and like a wader I could probably indentify!

That sighting was on a Wednesday, and for the rest of the week there were reports of not just one, but two LTS at the site. However reports were also that the little remaining water in the swamp was drying out quickly... eep!

Yep, pretty dry!

Luckily when I got down there the following Sunday I found that the small remnant of water was still there amongst the reeds.

a hidden oasis

Unluckily though all wading birds were all the way at the far end... 

With the binoculars the Red-kneed Dotterels were pretty obvious, and through the scope I could see quite a few Red-necked Stints. One did seem to have noticeably different plumage and when it finally ran out across the open water I could also make out the yellow legs of a Long-toed Stint - yay, lifer!

Unfortunately it was running out across the open water to go hide in the reeds on the other side with the other Stints and Dotterels.

it may or may not be in this photo

I entertained myself phonescoping Royal Spoonbills and their White Ibis friend while I waited for the waders to come out again.

Royal Spoonbill x 1

Feast of the Figs

In summer my mediocre backyard bird list gets a boost - it's fig time!

Both the Red and Little Wattlebirds that usually come for the grevillea have another food source, and are happy to add a bit (or a lot) of fruit to their diet.

an obviously red-wattled bird

But there are also some much more colourful visitors...

Hello in there!

Rainbow Lorikeets only come down into my garden when there are figs to be had even though they're always around, flying over or high up in the neighbours' trees. They can be super stealthy when they want to be creeping around after figs, but most of the time don't mind having their photo taken.