I have found several spots now at Greens Bush where I am sure that Bassians have set up feeding and nesting territories. Besides looking for the right sort of terrain and vegetation I am also on the lookout for fresh droppings. When watching the birds feed and pick up some good size morsels they seem to process the previously taken food and excrete a bright white splash. Based on the amount of white droppings I am finding in an area I can be fairly certain that I have found another Bassian feeding area. The shots of the two birds below were taken in different parts of the forest walk that I have come to expect to see Bassians.
Bassian Thrush, Greens Bush, Mornington Peninsula National Park, Vic
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Beautiful Bassian shots Malt! I usually find them in the dark dense rainforest where I get poor light to get good pics, but yours are great, well done. I will look out for the white excreta when I am looking for them, as they are very territorial and often found in the same areas.
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Thanks Ashley, I have found that I move slowly up on the Bassian and gently push it forward into better light, also a very high ISO helps. They also stand very still when they look at you so you get a pic with a fairly average shutter speed. The photos are certainly ok for the blog and FB. Looking at the detail of the one in the tree I have just noticed the soft lines on the tail feather…I need to study the photos I already have a bit better
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I love seeing Bassian Thrushes 🙂 And it’s great when you can get to know the local birds at a spot and know more or less where they’ll turn up!
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I agree Emma, one of my favourite regulars at Greens Bush.
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