In just a four-month period during spring and summer 2024, we had six different species of birds nesting on the property. Most years we have nesting birds, but in 2024 we seemed to spot more baby birds than usual. It’s not unexpected – after all, we have a lot of birdwatching opportunities on the property so the birds must feel safe here!
We’ve watched birds build their nests, incubate the eggs, and new fledglings leave home. Here’s the full list of the baby birds spotted at Severn River Cottages.
Crested pigeon
Right at the start of spring, a crested pigeon decided a bush by Catbird Cottage would be the perfect place to raise a chick.
There was a gap in the leaves at about eye-level to spot the nest, however the pair were very sheltered in the centre of the bush.
We watched the hatchling grow until one day, the nest was empty. The pair did stick around for a while though to enjoy the birdbath outside Orchard Cottage.
Tawny frogmouth
Throughout the year, you’re likely to spot a tawny frogmouth pair sat right outside Orchard Cottage.
In October however, they were gone for a few weeks. It wasn’t until a chance encounter did we spot the pair nesting further down the property, towards Witby Estate winery. By this point, three eggs had hatched!
For weeks afterwards we watched the triplets get bigger and begin to explore the branch they called home. Eventually, they found themselves back in mum and dad’s favourite tree outside Orchard Cottage. The family of five still come to visit.
Noisy miner
One October afternoon during a routine stroll on the property, we spotted two noisy miner nests. One was perched carefully in a flimsy bamboo bush, and the other in a small ornamental pear tree in a high-traffic area. They do pick some interesting places to nest, don’t they?
Due to the location of the nests, we kept a wide berth. We did have a few heatwaves, so every now and then we gave the nesting bird a gentle shower with a hose. It was very much appreciated!
Overall, four new noisy miners from two nests were brought into the world.
Pied butcherbird
During October, a butcher bird decided to nest high in a tree over the path next to Catbird Cottage.
Most days in November and December, you can hear a tiny squawk around the property, as a young butcher bird calls out for food. The fledgling butcherbird is very spoiled!
Brown goshawk
If you take a short stroll from Frog Hollow Cottage to the Severn River, you’re likely to hear the tittering of a brown goshawk.
We never did spot a nest, but one day we saw three brown goshawks high in the gum trees – one adult, and two fledglings. The three are often seen gracefully flying between the trees at the edge of the property.
Red-browed finch
The most elusive bird nest on our property, we only knew it was there during construction. Two red-browed finches were building a nest on the banks of the Severn River.
Since then, we’ve not seen any bird activity at the nest…
You can watch a video of the birds building their nest in this Facebook reel.
