Not technically my backyard but at my place of work. Its been enjoyable to watch these babies grow up. Its also been a worry as the chances of these birds making it to adulthood is low. Foxes, birds of pray, peacocks, eels and crows usually pick off the babies of any bird species breeding in this area.
Adding to the risks is the very poor parenting skills of the adults. On daily basis the babies were abandoned 30 metres away from the water, stuck in the chicken coop. It wasn’t until the babies had grown at bit did I see them feeding the babies. It was very surprising to see all four babies still alive and almost at adult size.
The breeding island pictured had a big part to play in the successful raising of this brood. I presume its where the eggs were incubated and the babies scuttled to it with any signs of danger.
The Moorhen, also locally called Swamp hen are hard to photograph as they are a nervous bird and can run fast. The birds are part of the Rail family and are distributed worldwide. They are common in the Noosa Shire and always found around water. If you have a dam and want them to visit, install a breeding island and have the edges of the water well vegetated.
Michelle Newall
