Country lanes to Tuckean Nature Reserve (June 2021)

Not so long ago I ventured down one of those side roads you notice on a road more travelled, just to see where it went (or in this instance, how it got to where it went). I did not have my camera and it was after some sustained rain so the road was quite muddy and the swamp level disconcertingly high on each side of teh raod in places. I have often driven a local country road loop, taking Marom Creek Rd off Wardell Road and returning back through Rous Mill. One road along the way I am describing is Tuckean Island Rd which runs through swampy farmland, along the western boundary of Tuckean Nature Reserve, crossing a couple of drainage channels and ending up on cane fields along the northern bank of the Richmond River (left to Broadwater, right to Woodburn). Turned out to be a really good drive because it is very isolated and I hardly saw another vehicle or person.

This was my second drive down this road, this time with my camera. 

On the way, however, a detour down another no through farm lane offered some excellent poses in some unusal places for the birds that were photographed. Some times its just worth taking a look 😳.

My initial bird contact for the drive was a flock of sulphur crested cockatoos. Not such regular sightings for me of these locally, so it was good to be able to capture a few showing off the sulphur crest, even if not in full display. They were enjoying the shelter of a large jacaranda.

Heading back on reaching the end of the lane, I spotted the next two birds in different large pines. The laughing kookaburra perched as they often do and actually quite small in the large tree. Not so the white ibis ... perched on one leg and looking ever so majestic and not at all out of place in such a regal position.

My final sighting down this detour was a cheeky peek by this laughing kookaburra. This time it is actually difficult to be too critical of the way the built environment actually enhances the pose - the iron peg foot hold making a suitably sheltered perch for its lookout.

Now, for the various sightings down through the swampy farmland along Tuckean Island Rd. Actually rather dry this time, though the clear evidence of a much wetter environment was clear enough in many places. I relish the opportunity to revisit once we have had some more sustained rain - perhaps it would be a good walking adventure.

White-necked heron

Flock of straw-necked ibis settling

Four very "settled" straw-necked ibis!

A roadside & shaded emerald dove

A white-faced heron perched way up high

Bar-shouldered doves sharing with a willy wagtail

I went left at the end of the road and because it was a small further detour on the way home, a visit to the Broadwater beach lookout. Alas, a very quiet time bird time apart from a pair of pied oystercatchers (very regular sight here) scrounging on the black rocks of the beach below as the tide rises.