The Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel) is mainly a summer visiting bird in my part of Australia. Like many Martins, they make nests from mud. In the case of Fairy Martins the nests are a characteristic bottle shape.
These birds were follwing the description in the guide books to perfection by building their nests under a bridge in the Dandenong Wetlands which I visited last week. These birds were obliging as sneaked up on them to get the photographs. You can see that a number of the birds have a beak full of mud, ready for nest building.
I went back to this area the following day, but after a night of heavy rain I think that the nest site may have been flooded out, as the birds were still there, but there was no sign of nest building. Also, the water was almost filling the arches of the bridge - so, I'll find time to go back soon and see what is happening.
As ever, to join in with WBW click on the link below. SM
It's sad for the swallows. They need to find a nesting site soon. The same one later on, do you think?
ReplyDeleteI saw this species inTasmania.
Good day Stewart. Best wishes
Always rewarded for visiting here, S!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI love their eye-masks; meaning business! YAM xx
We have purple martins here in US. I'd always thought I'd like to put up a purple Martin house on a long pole. It's like an apartment building. It's a lot of work though keeping the nesting open for the martins because other birds take over.
ReplyDeleteThey are gorgeous little birds Stewart I hope they are successful building their nests soon. Thanks for hosting, take care and have a great week ahead.
ReplyDeleteI love their name. Hopefully they will find a nesting site soon.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. I think their nests are pretty interesting.
ReplyDeleteThey are wonderful little birds and certainly did not deserve to be dispossessed.
ReplyDeleteHandsome birds!
ReplyDeleteHello Stewart,
ReplyDeletethe Martins in your post today are very pretty.
Hope everything is going well in your part of the world.
All the best!
Oh Stewart, I LOVE them...their color is a beautiful combo!!!
ReplyDeleteBTW...I had to get a new blog address:...agreenridge.blogspot.com
I've never seen Fairy Martins. Thanks for the introduction! They have such serious faces!
ReplyDeleteWhat pretty little birds and fabulous photos, well done. Sorry my link is a bit late but I just seem to keep running out of days in the week!! Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteTerrific images of these great-looking birds, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteHope their nest building will eventually be successful, even if it's in another area.
All the best.
delightful little fellow. I love the shrug in particular. Thank You S
ReplyDelete