YET ANOTHER RECORD BREAKING WALK

It is getting light earlier and the temperatures are rising slowly.  Next week is spring and I'm hoping for more record breaking walks.

This morning was sunny with a little mist on the river as I set out on my walk.  A Striated Pardalote called from the canopy; a Grey Shrikethrush made his presence felt in the bush, joined by a Grey Butcherbird in the distance.  A Magpie-lark called, a fair way off, and a White-faced Heron swore at me somewhere nearby.  My friendly Fan-tailed Cuckoo greeted me.  This bird has stayed throughout the winter, calling most days.

So my score was six before I got as far as the road.  Then three Pacific Ducks flew overhead, calling, followed quickly by a pair of noisy (but very colourful) Rainbow Lorikeets.  Some Sulphur-crested Cockatoos squawked and a pair of Crimson Rosellas flew by. Red Wattlebirds came unusually close and gave me a good look.  I usually hear these birds, but I don't always see them.  A Masked Lapwing called and I wished he'd show himself.  Ubiquitous Noisy Miners flew around the tree tops, calling, the only native bird I wish wasn't here.

Some Longbilled Corellas called, then condescended to show themselves.

I don't walk very far.  The idea is to get half an hour's exercise, so I walk for fifteen minutes, then turn back.  Since I broke my hip, I'm a little slower, so my 'half hour' walk takes 35 minutes.

I heard Pied Currawongs, looked up and, sure enough, there they were.  Below them in the same tree, sitting quietly minding his own business was a Laughing Kookaburra.  My score was now 16 and I wasn't half way yet. Not bad, I thought.

A Common Bronzewing flushed from the roadside, and a pair of Eastern Rosellas flew by, calling.  That was 18 and it was time to turn back.  My best ever walk score was 21.  I wondered if I could beat it, and started thinking of all the birds I didn't yet have on my list.  The most obvious omission was a magpie.  I felt confident I'd see or hear a magpie before I got home.  But could I manage another three to beat the record?

Then a Common Myna called.  These are the only exotics I hear regularly, and they're not as common as they used to be.  I'd be happy to have my score lessened and never see or hear them again.

Brown Thornbills scolded me from the roadside bushes and I was on 20.  This was looking like a record breaking walk alright.

I looked up (I'm not sure why) and an Australian White Ibis flew overhead.  Just the one bird, but one's enough.  Then three Black-faced Cuckooshrikes put on a performance for me, calling and chasing each other.  These were my first BFCS for August, so they were doubly welcome.  With my record broken, the eventual distant call of an Australian Magpie was a bit of an anti-climax, but he did bring my total to 23.

Little Ravens flew overhead, calling.  I've been studying their calls, refusing to be beaten by corvids.  They are difficult, but I believe most of the Warrandyte birds are Little Ravens, with just the occasional Australian Raven thrown in for confusion's sake.

Back at home,but before I entered my front door, a Grey Fantail called, ensuring he was counted.  So I had a record-breaking quarter of a century!  What will I achieve in spring?