With the easing of the lockdown, it was nice to join Brian Everingham and some friends in the National Parks Association of NSW for a walk. Thanks to Brian for organising the walk. He had chosen a walk, that was mainly along fire roads – so plenty of space for social distancing.
Bird of Paradise Fly
In the party were Brian, Faye, Valerie, Helen, Ross, Ian, Allen, Peter and myself.
We set off down the Curra Moors fire trail, and followed it to Eagle Rock on the Coastal Path. Along the way we saw few birds and some nice wildflowers.
Here is a White-eared Honeyeater –
And a Horse Dung Fungus –
More flowers and plants –
And a New Holland Honeyeater –
It was nice to see the sea and the coastal cliffs.
We followed the Coastal Path south, stopping a few times to admire the views. We did not see any whales, but we did spot a distant White-bellied Sea Eagle.
And then a nice walk back along the fire trail.
Along the way Brian caught an interesting insect. It just looked like a bit of fluff floating in the air. Perhaps a seed or small feather. But no, it was an insect. Brian’s one escaped before we could get a good look. But a little further along, Helen caught one, and it stayed still long enough for some photos –
Researching it later showed it was a Bird of Paradise Fly (Margarodidae: Callipappus australis). This is the male. The female is flightless and substantially larger. It emerges from the ground and climbs up into a branch and then attracts a male with pheromones. The adults do not have mouthparts – they do not live long enough to need to feed.