The day started off relatively quiet, but as it proceeded, things got better and better. Several highlights – quality time observing a pair of Azure Kingfishers, but later we observed a large number of Pacific Bazas. We were astounded to see 17 of them circling around in the air.
I travelled out with Sue by train to Doonside, and we were soon in the Reserve. Recently, the Nature guru of the park – Wayne had reported seeing 13 Pacific Bazas at one time in the Reserve a few days before. That was a good incentive for another visit.
When we arrived, we first spotted 3 Sacred Kingfishers perched together –
And that was surprisingly, the last we saw of the Sacred Kingfishers during our visit.
Here is a Little Pied Cormorant in one of the ponds –
Little Corella
Then we bumped into Wayne, and we all looked carefully in the pools for Azure Kingfishers. We soon spotted one –
After it flew off, towards another pond, we looked up and spotted at least two Pacific Bazas flying above –
Eastern Rosella
Back at the long pond, we spotted two Azure Kingfishers. They were fishing.
The one on the right has small fish.
Sue and myself, then wet off around the perimeter fire road. We didn’t see too many birds.
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
Laughing Kookaburra
And another Azure Kingfisher –
We had looked for the Tawny Frogmouths that we had seen on our previous visit, but had not seen them. But Wayne had found them earlier, and he showed me –
Two were together –
And one was sitting apart –
Last visit, we had seen four.
Some more Azure Kingfisher –
Then, I got a message from Wayne. He was in a different part of the Reserve, and had seen some Pacific Bazas. He said there were a lot. We quickly made our way there, hoping they would still be around.
We soon spotted one –
And then we noticed more and more of them. Most seemed to be juveniles. And they all seemed to be hunting for insects in the trees.
It was not till about 15 minutes later when we realised just how many there were. They all took to the air.
I only had my telephoto lens on and there was no way I could fit all of them in one photo. This is the best I could do – there are five Pacific Bazas here. Wayne counted 17 of them!
Later, looking up the collective noun for Bazas, an online site suggested a “Bazaar of Bazas”. That seems apt.
we had experienced an amazing day. Many thanks to Wayne for alerting us to the Bazas, and for Sue for great company and helping with the spotting.