Eastern Rosella

Over the last week or so I've seen Eastern Rosellas in Narrabri- once near the lake and once near the Crossing Theatre while waiting for the Tent of Prmise team to turn up.

We have many parrot species in the area, but this is the first time I've actually seen rosellas. According to the Australian Museum these birds derive their name from the Sydney suburb of Rose Hill (near Parramatta). They were originally called Rose Hillers, but this was gradually changed to Rosellas. They are absolutely beautiful birds. They are usually found along the east coast and up into the mountains, but I think it's less common to find them west of the Great Divide.

I recall several years ago, there was a flock of wild budgerigars which set up home for a short while at Bellata, just north of Narrabri. It was quite a surreal experience to drive through a flock of perhaps hundreds of these birds.