This afternoon it was 43 degrees in the shade!

As I was sitting at my desk I noticed a butcher bird land on the bird bath just outside and have a long drink. Then another one arrived. The first bird tried the usual response of chasing the other one away – they are very territorial! However it almost fainted in the process so let it be. Instead he held his wings out to try and get cool.

Soon there were 4! All panting with their beaks open, holding their wings out and having long drinks.

After losing a lot of our precious endangered black and white cockatoos on our south coast in the heat last week, it was good to be able to help these little guys through this awful heat:-)