Byron Bay Wetlands in February
Summer moves on but the breeding activity at the wetlands is still in full swing. The number and variety of cuckoos in the wetlands indicate there are plenty of opportunities for their parasitic egg laying too. Breeding species noted so far this month include Rufous Whistlers, Purple Swamphens, Fairy Martins, Brush Cuckoos, and Lewin’s Honeyeaters. The presence of juvenile Cicadabirds, Little Bronze-cuckoos and others indicates they may be breeding in the wetland or nearby.
There are often Fairy Martins at the north end of D and E Cells. This is the first time I have observed young feeding here.
This young Brush Cuckoo was calling loudly waiting for its food. The juvenile colours are quite different to the adult grey and buff with black and white cuckoo markings on the tail.
I lined up my camera with the juvenile and waited. Soon the surrogate mother arrived, a tiny Superb Fairy-wren.
It appears this Superb Fairy-wren has some very strong feelings about its oversized charge.
Little Bronze-Cuckoos are one of the less frequently seen species in the wetland but the presence of this juvenile could mean they are breeding here or closeby?
The female Cicadabird, very different to her grey coloured male counterpart. Cicadabirds have been calling most days over the past month.
Good to see a Sacred Kingfisher, the first seen for several months.
There are still good numbers of Latham’s Snipes to be seen, now scattered around the wetland.
An early start resulting in photos of each of the three White-necked Herons in Cell E enjoying an early morning feed.