On Monday I spent a very pleasant morning at a friend's property at Healesville. Welcome Swallows and Striated Pardalotes were nesting under the eaves of the house. One male whipbird called without an answer from his mate. I can only assume he was a bachelor. Several Rufous Whistlers sang loudly and happily and at least one gorgeous Golden Whistler joined in. More than one thrush added mellifluous music until kookaburras overwhelmed the entire valley with their loud laughter. A fat young yellow robin sat out in the open, vulnerable, unprotected, and somehow humorous without a tail. A male Superb Fairy-wren lived up to his name. Yellow-faced Honeyeaters dominated the canopy while scrubwrens chattered in the undergrowth. A White-thoated Treecreeper piped loudly as he spiralled up a treetrunk. We quickly compiled a list of over twenty species and I wondered what nightlife would inhabit the enormous manna gums after dark. My friend has seen Powerful Owls, but I'll bet there are others too.
A delightful bush haven so close to Melbourne.
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