Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Willie Wagtails Nesting

I often have Willie Wagtails in my yard and last year they nested in a gum tree across the road. This year they started showing a possessive interest in the big pine tree right next door so the other day I went and had a closer look. The nest was almost finished when I first looked. Yesterday I had another look and although they didn't seem worried about me wandering over there, they still don't seem to be spending full-time at the nest. I hope they do raise a nest-full of young and that I can photograph some of this over the next few weeks. Here's what I hope is the first of a series!
Neither bird was at the nest when I first walked under the tree but one soon arrived, and then the second one.

12 comments:

  1. You'll have a lot of fun watching and photographing them Mick.

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  2. Yes, I'm sure so Duncan. I just wish I had a step-ladder tall enough to look down on the nest without getting too close to it.

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  3. Nice site and photos Mick. I'm trying to find a Willie Wagtail nest in Perth myself to photo and video.

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  4. Nice pics Mick - I didn't know that willies were mud nesters......I do now!! Thanks!!

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  5. Hi Richard, nice to have you visit. I hope you find your Willie Wagtail to photo and video. They are great little fellows to watch.

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  6. Hi Tony, all the photos are able to be enlarged by clicking on them and then you can see the grasses etc that the nest is woven out of. Pizzey says the nests are "felted" with spiders webs. Pretty clever, eh!

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  7. That's really good news about the Wagtails Mick. Fingers crossed they nest successfully and give you some photo opportunities.

    It's great have the WWW! Now I can enjoy your spring as we head into Autumn and then I can enjoy it again in about 6 months when we get under way in the UK! How great is that!

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  8. How great to have a nest so close by. Great photos.
    Fascinating the way a bird can build a nest right on a branch like that. Even the outside of the nest has been built so carefully and neat.

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  9. Hi Tricia, that's the way I've been especially enjoying your posts over the last few months. Its great to imagine warm weather and spring flowers while the temperature outside makes it impossible. The only problem seemed to be when I stepped outside into reality and got a nasty shock when things were not as I had mentally re-arranged them!

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  10. Hi John, and one of the fun things about Willie Wagtails is that they are so vocal you really can't ignore them! I must get the old Canon S2 out and try for some video of their calls.

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  11. Mick, nice pics as always. Love bird nests, very facinating.

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  12. Thanks James. I am waiting for the next stage.

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