A pair of Bush Stone-curlews have made the village gardens their home and they have raised a chick. I have been trying to photograph the chick for days but it is difficult because the parents protect it very well. These birds are hard to see because their colour blends in with the leaf litter where they spend their time during the day. They are nocturnal birds and they have a high pitched wailing screech at night.
Here they are hiding the chick and it can't be seen.
The next day I was lucky to capture the chick with a zoom lens. Unfortunately walking away from me .
Another evening one walked right up to our front door.
We had to shoo it away.
They stand very still during the day.
Fantastic photos - and a fantastic photo opportunity. We have a few migratory Stone Curlews that turn up in the Brecklands, about 40 miles from here. They are incredibly elusive, very well camouflaged and certainly don't come anywhere near to human habitation. Otherwise they are very similar looking birds.
ReplyDeleteI've not come across this bird before. Fascinating. I loved the way they place one foot directly in front of the other when they are walking. Not keen on the screeching at night though. I had that occasionally in New Zealand and it can make one's blood run cold.
ReplyDeleteWow lucky you having them on your doorstep and breeding. Great photos and even more so as they are difficult to take. Hope all is well there, t'other Diane
ReplyDeleteI don't know that bird, looks very fragile with those thin legs.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t know they were nocturnal animals- no wonder they have such large eyes! Aren’t they unusual looking birds! Lovely photos xxx
ReplyDeleteInteresting bird! The last photo is really great!
ReplyDeleteHello, I love these cute birds. I would love the see them and the cute chicks. Great photos. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteThose are neat birds. Do they fly very well or prefer to run?
ReplyDeletecute little chick, and they do blend in perfectly. glad i can't hear the noise they make. they have birds on the lake in the condos where my friend lives, starts with L and can't remember, and people are threatening to kill the birds because they are so noisy.
ReplyDeleteThese curlews certainly are camouflaged when in the garden! I would imagine hearing their calls at night is startling!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you were able to photo graph them so well in the end. Persistence pays! I've never seen them before and would love to, but I think I'm glad I've never heard them!
ReplyDeleteInteresting bird but I don't think I would like the wailing screech.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see you on here! Loved your curlew photos, especially that you were able to capture the chick too! They remind me so much of roadrunners in our west!
ReplyDeleteLovely captures Diane. That screeching is rather gruesome in the night we came across some in the middle of the night in Lucinda in 2016, thought a women was being murdered :)
ReplyDeleteHello!:) Wow! This great looking bird is usually so shy, and one walked up to your door, just amazing! The chick is adorable. All great shots, and the close-up is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteExciting and exotic. How lucky for you to be able to enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteWhat graceful and beautiful birds and those eyes!
ReplyDeleteHow amazing. Great photos too. We have a type of Stone Curlew over here but it is rare, confined to a very few areas and very secretive. They are carefully camouflaged, as your photos show, and so quite hard to spot.
ReplyDeleteI know there call but had no idea what they looked like. Thanks for showing me.
ReplyDeleteWell, that is pretty cool -- not the kind of yard birds I'm used to seeing, that's for sure! It must be eerie to hear that noise at night though!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting birds for sure.... Love seeing the little chick... So special!!!!! Does the screeching at nights keep you awake????
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
You managed to get some great photos of the elusive birds.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful images of this beautiful creature.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots Diane. Such fascinating birds and what a treat that you eventually got to see the baby.
ReplyDelete