Strange sites

Last year Rosemary sent us a story and pictures of Grey Shrike-thrushes nesting in a peg basket (see Peg basket squatters). Now Sue has forwarded this photo of hungry shrike-thrush chicks in a bicycle helmet just outside her back door – an annual occurrence apparently.

The Grey Shrike-thrush is a species that has adapted particularly well to human habitation, it seems. We have come across them nesting in this area in a hanging coiled-up garden hose, a shearing shed with shearers operating all around, among stacked firewood in a wood shed, a busy farm nursery potting shed, and right now in the far corner of our own shed, as pictured at right.

If anyone has come across other strange nesting sites, feel free to comment, or send pictures to focusonfauna@gmail.com