2016 - rich pickings on north wall Ballina

Just a reminder, if you click on any one of the photos it should open a bigger window (Lightbox) allowing you to see larger images for better detail.

While I had wandered along here (see picture below, the north wall is on the right of the picture, though in 2019 the Council has completed a significant makeover to the left hand shore) many times and have even already shared a few photos from early practice, this was the first time I explored this rich habitat with my heightened awareness of birds. The result was some very pleasant surprises and the start of many such explorations. Shared here are my first photos of some species which have become common sightings for me. You will no doubt some different examples (habitat contexts and lighting settings) as the blog evolves. And, of course, some species will be familiar (though the pictures different) from the posts sharing my exhibition back near the beginning of the blog.

Ballina north wall (RHS) looking east (2016)

This first specimen below surprised me at the beginning of the walk. My initial view from a distance caused a flutter because I thought it was a bittern ... and I did not even know what that was until our UK trip and then only glimpsed one from some distance (which was an achievement apparently!). So moving towards the bird to try to make sure I got a picture it quickly became apparent it was not a bittern ... and it did look really sad, forlorn and "lost" among the rocks ... but an ever so interesting subject that I was to realise had many guises (see two further examples in the exhibition). Quite magnificent in its own way up close, for which it was very obliging.

Striated heron blending in

Striated heron - a closer peek, more alert

The next few are common waders (in Shaw"s Bay) and a swimmer (in the river mouth) either side of the north wall. Excellent hunters, it is a treat when you manage to capture them with a success too (the first picture).

A great heron with a catch

A white-faced heron stalking

Pied cormorant ready to dive

The next four again have turned out to be common finds in this habitat. Each can be found in various locations right along the edge of the wall - the particular side often dependent on tide and wind conditions. Often it is the poo on the rocks that is a give away, or at lest a place to stop and wait and pay attention to for a while 👍. First, who knew the swallow had such a rich array or colour?

Swallow keeping an eye on me

 Next, often the female fairy wrens all "seem" to be the same mousy brown colour ... however, get them in the right light and the tail can be a give away which type of male they pair with.

Female superb fairy wren (the blue tail feathers)

 Though an introduced species, these are very beautiful and often found in pairs - their rock perches often make for excellent photographic context (which, of course, applies equally to any of the birds).

Spotted (turtle) dove

 This was my first spotting of one of my favourites for this habitat. They have since offered many satisfying moments and are generally very photogenic if you remain patient and happy to be still.

Sacred kingfisher perched ready to swoop

So, as you can see, this habitat has much to offer, large and small and several sizes in between. This variety has ensured many an enjoyable and productive walk with my camera ... this was just the beginning.