My pondering over the continued absence of some bird species led me to revisit last year's Jan/Feb diary entries, where I read how around 30 New Holland Honeyeaters drove off a Little Wattlebird (LW). I have only spotted a couple of New Hollands this year, there are no LWs (that's probably why it seems quiet...), and just a single Red Wattlebird. It seems that the majority of medium to large nectar feeders, and also ground feeders that dig out worms, grubs etc, have gone. It is mainly the seed and insect eating birds that remain. Sorry the pics are a bit grainy, by the way. It was a bit of a reach for the lens. I think it's the lack of rain that underpins these departures. There is no substantial nectar supply at the moment - the banksia are just now starting to develop flowers yet at this time last year the honeyeaters were fighting over them. Also it would make sense that the ground is so hot and dry that the worms, grubs etc move further down, especially during the day, and so are out of reach. The majority of a large magpie group have also left, with the remaining small family of birds forced to be brave and feed closer to the house where its damper and shadier. So that's my theory anyway. Am now looking for some fast-growing, plants that produce masses masses of nectar-rich flowers in summer. Any ideas?
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