1 January 2019

The Challenge Begins!

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This year I'm going to attempt Jen's 2019 5MR Challenge. That is, to try to find as many birds as I can in my 5-mile radius during the year.

To kick off my challenge, I decided to get out early to the Royal Botanic Gardens. I've only birded here once before, and figured there'd be less people around on New Year's morning than on a weekend when I'd probably usually go.

mmm... look at all that lush greenery through the gate!

I got there just after the gates opened at 7.30am and straight away there was a lot of small bird action. A Grey Fantail appeared, there were some White-browed Scrubwrens in the undergrowth and I noticed a couple of Spotted Pardalotes high up in a tall gum. A whole bunch of Silvereyes also flew in and got some little fruit snacks on one of the bushes.

a sweet little Silvereye

I started around the Ornamental Lake where I found some ducks snoozing on the small landing that the punts leave from.

Pacific Black Duck

Australian Wood Duck