GlenysBirds at Wonga Wetlands (1of3) - The Blue Wren
February 5th 2011 00:59
... and the birds are returning...
The Wonga Wetlands are near Albury, NSW, Australia, along the floodplain of the Murray River. It is an ecosystem of lagoons and billabongs and is home to a wide variety of wildlife and ancient river red gums. The Albury City’s plan to redevelop the Wonga Wetlands has resulted in many birds and other wildlife returning to the area. Some of the wetlands are natural but it is predominately man made. For many years this land has been used for grazing but the lagoons are being restored from Albury City’s wastewater treatment facility.
We visited in September and we were in for a pleasant surprise.
There were three walking trails to choose from and we chose the 2.5 km Red Trail. There are bird hides along the trails and we enjoyed sitting quietly, observing birds in their natural setting.
You can imagine our excitement when we spotted a Blue Wren. We stood quietly for minutes entranced with the beauty of the plumage of this tiny bird, as it hopped among the dead leaves of a fallen branch. We had to be patient to capture it on camera, but eventually we were successful.
The Blue Wren can be found from south-east Queensland. south to Tasmania, and west to southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia.
The male, in breeding plumage, has a striking bright blue forehead, ear coverts, mantle and tail, with a black mask and black or blue throat. All but the older males moult into a non-breeding plumage which resembles the female and juveniles, which are a grey-brown colour.
Breeding occurs from spring to late summer. The nest is round or dome shaped and is made of loosely woven grasses and spider webs. Two or more broods may be laid in an extended breeding season. Three or four matte white eggs with reddish-brown splotches and spots are laid in the nest. The female incubates the eggs for 14 days. All group members help to feed the young and remove the fecal sacs from the nests.
Blue Wrens have sparked the imagination of artists and have been used to decorate everything from tea towels to crockery, stamps to calendars.
Reference: Wikipedia
The Wonga Wetlands are near Albury, NSW, Australia, along the floodplain of the Murray River. It is an ecosystem of lagoons and billabongs and is home to a wide variety of wildlife and ancient river red gums. The Albury City’s plan to redevelop the Wonga Wetlands has resulted in many birds and other wildlife returning to the area. Some of the wetlands are natural but it is predominately man made. For many years this land has been used for grazing but the lagoons are being restored from Albury City’s wastewater treatment facility.
We visited in September and we were in for a pleasant surprise.
There were three walking trails to choose from and we chose the 2.5 km Red Trail. There are bird hides along the trails and we enjoyed sitting quietly, observing birds in their natural setting.
You can imagine our excitement when we spotted a Blue Wren. We stood quietly for minutes entranced with the beauty of the plumage of this tiny bird, as it hopped among the dead leaves of a fallen branch. We had to be patient to capture it on camera, but eventually we were successful.
Blue Wren - Wonga Wetlands, Albury, NSW, Australia.
The Blue Wren can be found from south-east Queensland. south to Tasmania, and west to southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia.
The male, in breeding plumage, has a striking bright blue forehead, ear coverts, mantle and tail, with a black mask and black or blue throat. All but the older males moult into a non-breeding plumage which resembles the female and juveniles, which are a grey-brown colour.
Breeding occurs from spring to late summer. The nest is round or dome shaped and is made of loosely woven grasses and spider webs. Two or more broods may be laid in an extended breeding season. Three or four matte white eggs with reddish-brown splotches and spots are laid in the nest. The female incubates the eggs for 14 days. All group members help to feed the young and remove the fecal sacs from the nests.
Blue Wren - Wonga Wetlands, Albury, NSW, Australia.
Blue Wrens have sparked the imagination of artists and have been used to decorate everything from tea towels to crockery, stamps to calendars.
Reference: Wikipedia
*** seriously exquisite ***
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