You can't spend too much time away from a Willie Wagtail's brood because by God, they grow up fast. It's five days since we noted the joyful arrival of the chicks -- and scrawny, bald and unappealing little scraps they were, too. So we took a turn down to Commonwood this lunchtime to catch up …
Sometimes guesswork and baseless supposition turns out to be true. When I surmised the other day that momma Willie was sitting a bit higher in the nest than usual, and that the bits of fluff around the edge of the nest might signal that the eggs had hatched, this turns out to be the case! …
Off to Sydney last week looking for work, so the Willies were left to their own devices for four days or so. Somehow I don't think they minded much. Yesterday, late afternoon, I took Archie down to Commonwood Farm to check on progress -- and work out the kinks after driving back from the metrop. …
There's been a bit of rain about, including a noisy and soaking thunderstorm yesterday, so it seemed necessary to venture down the Commonwood path this afternoon to check on Ms Willie and her clutch. She's still there, incubating her birdie butt off and resolute as ever. No sign of hatchlings yet, but it's all to …
'Tis the season to procreate, and once again the flora and fauna of Braidwood and surrounds is having at it with gusto. We've been fortunate to witness the courtship and subsequent shacking-up of a number of feathery species, and rather late in the day, it occurred to me that this would make interesting 'content' (to …
I'm sure I've mentioned previously that one of the great hazards to Australian cyclists is the swooping Magpie. The males do this to protect their nest when their eggs have been laid. In other words, in spring. In other other words, now. And if you look at that beak, you can see why being subject …
The old saying, "one swallow does not a summer make" is undoubtedly true. You'd think so, too, given that it can be traced back to Aristotle, pretty much the father of western thought. Or possibly another even earlier ancient sage. The point of the proverb is that a single instance of a phenomenon doesn't necessarily …
As most of Australia wearily re-enters lockdown, cowed by the vigorous, irrepressible Delta Strain, in Braidwood (alongside the reappearance of masks on the local populace) we’re starting to see very early signs of spring. This winter has been a lot colder than last year’s edition, so seeing the first few buds on the trees really …
There’s an age-old question that has taxed the minds of history’s greatest thinkers: who would win in a fight between a bear and a gorilla? (Or endless variations thereof). Well, we had our own version last week at Corner Cottage – and it’s done nothing to satisfy that ancient question. I may have mentioned in …
Here’s a quick bit about birds. It’s got to the point with this blog that pretty much anything would be better than ongoing silence, so yes, it’s birds again. Tramping about the wintry neighbourhood this afternoon with Archie, I happened on a couple of Silvereyes chit-chitting about their business, and was struck by a quick …
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