I was at Princes Bridge, being my usual photography nerd self, when I noticed increased activity in the tree above me. The willy wagtails were considerably more active then usual. They would fly up, sit on the nest for a short while, move around and then fly off again.
I just thought it was building a nest, like the grey fantails I saw at Toolangi. I got home and started going through the photos. Then I screamed.
“What is it?”, Seth asked. I’ve started getting lending him my camera occasionally so he’s taking an interest in my photos.
“There are babies in that nest!”
It turns out the parents were taking turns to feed them very quickly. My behaviour wasn’t disturbing them, as I’ve been photographing from that location for weeks oblivious to that nest. It’s just above a very busy walking trail.
I have no idea what day they are but the parents have been doing a fantastic job. There was a mudlark nest in the same tree, those chicks fledged a couple of days after I discovered it. It’s a very busy time on this little stretch of path…. for those who can drag themselves away from looking at the cormorants and darters!