Before I had even managed to get near the water I saw some movement by the side of the path. I retreated a little and waited for a while. A slow but regular flow of post rain dog walkers may not have helped the bird quickly return, but eventually it did.
My initial reaction on seeing the bird was that it was a Pardalote of some kind, and this proved to be correct. Once I got reasonable views of it, the orange yellow rump gave it away as a Spotted Pardalote. And the grass in its mouth gave it away as a bird that was building a nest.
Possibly surprisingly, this small (8cm) nest is burrows near the tops of banks and other hidden away places. The books all seem to suggest that the outer layer of the nest is made of bark shreds, while the inner part is lined with grass. So, presumably, these beak-fulls are intended to line a nest somewhere.
This bird also goes by the name of Pardalotus punctatus - which means 'spotted leopard spotted bird' - and as you can see it has spots!
These were the first pictures I have managed to get of this species - and given their size, the less than bright light and the dog walkers (how dare they!), I'm pleased with the results
Its almost your turn to link to WBW - but first a note about word verification!
Word verification is turned off on my blogs - but due to a glitch with Blogger (or somewhere) it will show up - HOWEVER, you can ignore it completely, type a comment and just click publish and it should work.
Now it really is your turn to click the Blue Button and join in with WBW - feel free to spread the word to the world!
adorable little bird - bright colors, spots and stripes. :)
ReplyDeleteThe first I've ever heard of a Pardalote. Cute little guy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful little bird. So glad you caught it on it's way to the construction site.
ReplyDeleteWhat a little beauty and so happy that you were patient and waited to get a good few shots. It is almost Winter here and so speaking of nest building down under sounds upside down ;)
ReplyDeleteHe has a mouthful alright. You caught him in action.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty bird, it sure does have a mouthful. Great sighting and photos. Thanks for hosting, enjoy the rest of your week!
ReplyDeleteIt's like a wren and euphonia put together! Cool bird!
ReplyDeletePretty bird.
ReplyDeleteBlessed be those dog walkers, giving their pups enrichment, while they give themselves exercise. I won't have you talking badly about us, ya hear?
An interesting bird and beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking on the comment word verification on my blog and giving me feedback! :)
ReplyDeleteReally a lovely little bird !
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures !
That last shot really brings out the interesting color and pattern. Although I rarely meet another person in my Florida birding patch, it is quite the opposite in Illinois, where bike and running paths follow the river and wind through the preserves. To their credit, they often stop when I am looking through the binoculars, making me feel a little bad unless there is something unusual in view. Lots of opportunities to talk to the strangers and often enlighten them about what is happening just off the trail.
ReplyDeleteWe often hear these little birds so it's really nice to see them. Beaut photos Stewart :D)
ReplyDeleteOhhh So lovable.. :-)))
ReplyDeleteA gorgeous little bird. This is the first bird I learned to imitate when I first visited Australia.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous little bird! Love that you got the nesting material, too!
ReplyDeleteExquisite as usual....beautifully so. :)
ReplyDeleteAnother new species to me. What a little beauty.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute little nest builder. Well-spotted and photographed.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Photos - one of my favourite little birds.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! Pretty spots and the yellow under. Great pictures of it's mouth full of twigs!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos especially considering interruptions. What a cute little fellow, I love it's colour and patterns.
ReplyDeleteThat's a real beauty of a bird. Great shots. I'd be well pleased with those.
ReplyDeleteIt sort of reminds me of a Grey Wagtail without the spots.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have the same problems with dogs that we have. They are totally out of control - the owners and the dogs.
Hello Stewart.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series of images of this bird.
The last picture is my favorite.
Best regards, Irma
Pretty bird!!! And busy bird!! As in preparing for a nest?
ReplyDeletelovely and amazing little bird...
ReplyDeleteOh,nice one Stewart!
ReplyDeleteOh,nice one Stewart!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing bird! Thanks for letting me know I was posting on the wrong blog. I've changed the link too. Greetings Jo
ReplyDeleteThat's a very neat-looking bird! I like its coloring!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty little bird, glad you were able to capture some photos of it.
ReplyDeleteI love this bird! I only just learnt its call this year and now realise it is fairly common in SE QLD, just hard to spot! I too got my first ever photo of one a few months ago, and my bird was also a male beside a walking track - but without the cute 'busy' look of yours!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable, beautiful and unusual bird. With, I might add, a difficult to pronounce name. You should spell it out phonically so the linguistically challenged followers can pronounce it :) As for the dog walkers. I admire your patience ... I would probably have stuck my tripod out and tripped them or something. I get very upset (inside) when someone keeps me from getting my shot. I am old school though, so I remain polite, but you wouldn't want to hear the language that is going on in my head, Ha! Love this bird, Stewart ... so glad you happened upon him/her.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
What an amazing little bird! I love that you saw him on your birding excursion, and got such great photos!
ReplyDeleteOK...will be ignoring the Word Verification...
It's a very pretty bird.
ReplyDeleteOh my, he is so darling with all those spots and his mouth full!!!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, spunky little bird! I love that it was gathering material for a nest perhaps.
ReplyDeleteHe's a beautiful little bird. Congrats on adding it to your photo library.
ReplyDeleteYou have a busy little Spotted Pardalote! What an interesting-looking bird. I liked your description of your birding grounds. And isn't that the case--one tries to get a shot, then people show up! It happens everywhere, I guess. Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet bird.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of this beauty Stewart.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird! One I've never heard of before.
ReplyDeleteCute bird, with the grass in its beak. The colors are beautiful, they are somewhat similar to my Nuthatch this week. I've never heard of a Pardalote either.
ReplyDelete