The darter is an amazing bird that can be found along all our coastal areas, lakes and rivers, and I have observed them on a number of occasions.
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My most recent experience was as I walked along Nobbys headland and one popped up close in with a cod speared.
And would you believe I had my camera with me?
So the story with this is, always carry your camera with you if you want to record occasions like this.
The darter, with its body submerged and only its head and neck above the surface, resembles a snake rising from the water; hence one of its popular names – snake bird.
Darters often swim almost wholly submerged.
They have large feet that enable them to swim strongly, sometimes with their wings partly open.
Their plumage does not repel water and the birds are often seen standing with wings outspread drying in the sun.
The darter does not swim after its food, but stalks its prey or waits until it comes close.
As the target approaches, the bird holds back in an S shape, then darts its head forward and spears the victim on its sharp pointed bill, as shown with its victim on this occasion.
Darters breed mainly during spring but can be found nesting any time, depending on weather conditions.
The nest is a flimsy affair on trees above water, as shown in the image above.
This particular nest was found at the Newcastle wetlands.
Once the female has selected her mate, he collects most of the material to be added to the platform.
Both sexes incubate the eggs and feed the young by regurgitation.
The female is a lighter colour than the male, which is black.
Over the years I have experienced a number of close calls with them.
One such occasion was when in a hide at Walka Water Works photographing grebes one popped up right in front of me only metres away.
The darter is a very interesting bird to photograph and one of great interest to me.
The Maitland Camera Club’s next meeting will be held at the Maitland City Bowling Club Rutherford at 7pm sharp; the competition is set subject, and all are welcome to attend.