Nesting Grey Goshawk, Barred Cuckoo-Shrike, Bush-hen, Bandicoots & Gliders in the Garden

Grey Goshawk nestling

A pair of Grey Goshawks are successfully raising a single fledgling on their nest in a tall creekside eucalypt near Cooroy. During my visits to the nest I have seen only the large female goshawk in attendance.

Female Grey Goshawk with nestling

Barred Cuckoo-shrike

A few Barred Cuckoo-shrikes are out and about, with this one seen in wet sclerophyll forest behind Wappa Dam, near Yandina. Others have been seen at Little Yabba Creek recently. Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves have returned in good numbers, with plenty of birds calling throughout the Sunshine Coast hinterland at sites where there was no indication of their presence a couple of weeks ago. White-eared Monarchs are also highly vocal at several sites; this morning I had a couple of pairs along the Maroochy River.

Barred Cuckoo-shrike

Pale-vented Bush-hen

A pair of Pale-vented Bush-hens are showing well at the North Arm site where I have recorded them annually. I had excellent, prolonged views of both birds this morning. Interestingly, the bush-hens had not apparently been present at this site in recent weeks, and their reappearance (or vocalising) coincides with the first decent rainfall for a long while. Lewin's Rail has also been calling at this site.

Emerald Dove

In the garden at Ninderry, Emerald Dove is usually a scarce visitor but a pair have been frequent visitors lately. Also in the garden, a Northern Short-nosed (Brindled) Bandicoot has taken up residence.

Northern Short-nosed Bandicoot

Northern Short-nosed Bandicoot

Squirrel Glider

A less welcome find in the garden was this dead Squirrel Glider. It was killed by a neighbourhood cat which I had noticed on several occasions, late at night, lurking in the area where the glider was found. The cat, needless to say, is presently the focus of my undivided attention.