Allen has spent many hours observing life at Wild Wings & Swampy Things this summer. I greatly admire his patience and dedication in recording the life around us especially in the very wet conditions we have been experiencing.
Adult Paradise Kingfisher feeding in our Leichhardt forest – Nauclea orientalis. Leichhardts are able to cope with swampy conditions as well as inundation.
These eye-catching birds, with their long white ribbon tails, visit our north tropical area for a few months each year to tunnel into termite mounds and lay their eggs. In the event that they are able to hatch their eggs and rear their young without mishap they feed the nestlings until they are capable of flying out on their own and feeding. The adults and young fly north before the winter chill.
One of a number of termite mounds found in our forest. Not all are used as nests and some have trial holes which didn’t meet the bird’s standard and have been abandoned.
Allen has not tried to photograph Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers when they are nesting as we are just happy to know that they have returned for another year. To hear Paradise kingfishers calling and to catch glimpses of those gorgeous colours or a flash of white tail through the trees puts smiles on our faces.
This young bird was seen near Barratt Creek Another sighting in the Leichhardts – their big leaves provide shade from the sun or shelter from the rain and their horizontal, sturdy branches make an excellent perches. This young one was photographed near the house. In spite of netting draped along our verandah it came in low and hit the window. We quickly got it into our recovery box but in only a few minutes it was tapping to get out. It sat on Allen’s finger for about 2 seconds before flying off to a branch for some more quiet time. Another shot of an adult bird feeding in the Leichhardt forest during a break between heavy showers of rain. There is a lot of insect activity at this time of the year and we felt this bird was enjoying some good feeds before commencing it’s northerly migration.
Thank you again for the update on your property and the photos. Wonderful to see the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers nesting. What a delight. You have certainly been through intense weather and severe flooding and kudos to you both for “soldiering on”. It is indeed a great partnership you and Allen have in your love for nature in all its forms.
Thanks Kay – I think everyone around here is getting a bit tired of the rain now but it’s got to ease off soon! We’re all looking forward to enjoying a glorious tropical winter.
Now that our major restoration projects are complete we are taking more time to simply enjoy the privilege of living in such a beautiful, peaceful and endlessly interesting area.
While there are always a few maintenance tasks the work is not onerous and we can take time out to enjoy our walking tracks as well as to sit and simply look around.
It is immensely rewarding to observe the growth in the vegetation, watch trees mature and to delight in the variety and number of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects both residing on and visiting the property.
Wild Wings & Swampy Things 
Hello Barbara
Thank you again for the update on your property and the photos. Wonderful to see the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers nesting. What a delight. You have certainly been through intense weather and severe flooding and kudos to you both for “soldiering on”. It is indeed a great partnership you and Allen have in your love for nature in all its forms.
Cheers. Kay
Thanks Kay – I think everyone around here is getting a bit tired of the rain now but it’s got to ease off soon! We’re all looking forward to enjoying a glorious tropical winter.