152

And a Yellow-billed Spoonbill, brought to my attention by alarmed Noisy Miners, last Saturday afternoon, brings the home list to 152 species. I think I've only seen one other YBS in the Southern Highlands. They are rarities here. LJ, May 6 2013.

PERSPECTIVE

I'm back after a month abroad with family - England, France, Denmark and Sweden were the destinations (Sweden, you moved me). It was an inspiring, enthralling, tiring, challenging, significant time. Much of the time was spent in cities, therefore this was not a wildlife-spotting extravaganza. Wildlife-spotting was incidental. It was all about the thrilling rush of culture, architecture, galleries, museums, cafes, restaurants, design shops, music stores, bridges, cathedrals, Viking rune stones and warm blueberry soup! When I had the chance, I wandered in woods in France and Sweden (between bursts of crossing frozen lakes and swamps!). Dense and open woods of birch, spruce, pine etc. Woods with very few birds in them and little variety re. species, frustratingly. How I longed to see a Black Woodpecker. At times, I felt all I was watching were Blue Tits, Great Tits and Wood Pigeons. A hare, grey and red squirrels, four roe deer and some sort of microbat in Copenhagen were the only native animals I came across in four weeks. This reinforced how fortunate I am to live in a fauna-rich area - I was profoundly struck by this towards the end of my trip. So, it's grand to be home. LJ, May 6 2013.

THE MOST LITTLE RAVENS I'VE SEEN ANYWHERE

At least 110 Little Ravens were floating over wooded corridors skirting paddocks by Old Argyle Rd late this afternoon. Three Wedge-tailed Eagles spooked them. The odd Australian Raven was in the mix. Top stuff. LJ, March 24 2013

151

I didn't expect to come across a Great Crested Grebe in Bundanoon. I've only seen them on expansive bodies of water in the Highlands: Wingecarribee and Fitzroy Falls Reservoirs. Anyhow, one turned up late yesterday on a small dam off Blue Gum Rd. It was in non-breeding plumage, its long brown/white neck and dagger-like beak distinctive. That's the 3rd grebe species for town and bird 151. Nice one. LJ, 17 March 2013.

SATURDAY

Last Saturday, in gorgeous weather, a couple of hours of local birding produced an impressive 58 species (particularly as most of our migrants have now headed north once again). Chestnut-rumped Heathwren (fleeing from the side of the road as I drove to Bonnie View), White-throated Needletail, Rose Robin (the first for autumn; offering up its ascending trill), Brown Cuckoo-dove and Crescent Honeyeater were the highlights. LJ, March 13 2013.

DOMESTIC BUNDANOON

Mowing, after much rain and days of sun, is deeply satisfying. It's grand to see instant results. You don't see the outcomes of your labour so obviously in teaching! LJ, March 12 2013.

SKYFALL

My stunning new rain gauge from Bunnings shows me we've had three and a half inches of rain over the previous week! LJ, March 5 2013.