Munia, silverbill, mannikin? Don't ask Google!

These were in the Lower Mooloolah River Environmental Reserve this morning. A big family group of ........ not sure what.

My usually brilliant Pizzey & Knight bird book wasn't immediately helpful, so I asked Google, as you do, with a reverse image search.

Google came up with scaly-breasted munia, or Indian silvertail. Neither are Australian. Then it tried yellow-rumped mannikin. Closer, but only in the Northern Territory. Back to  the book then, and after studying the mannikin page carefully, I think I've cracked it. I think they are chestnut-breasted mannikins. There are males, females, and juveniles in there.

Mooloolah River from Point Cartright walkway

 

 

 

 

 

Evening low tide, looking through the heads towards Maroochydore.

Mooloolah loop

The Mooloolah River National Park offers a nice little walk or two. It's pretty flat, and this is appealing also to cyclists I noticed.

I did an early morning exploration yesterday, starting and finishing at the eastern end of Claymore Rd.

It was very waterlogged when I first ventured in a few months back, but it's largely dried out now.

 

Right: Christmas Bells (Blandfordia grandiflora)

 

 

 The walking's easy

 

 

 

 

 

Below: I think these banksias are Banksia serrata, aka Red Honeysuckle, aka Old Man Banksia.