Bell Miner (Bellbird)
While traveling down the coast from Sydney toward Wilson’s Promontory, east of Melbourne, Simon and I decided to stop at Eden to catch a glimpse of the infamous Bellbirds (Bell Miner birds) or so we thought. Eden is tucked away in the southeastern corner of New South Wales, fairly remote from any sizable town. It’s a lovely little spot to stay for a couple of nights if you are wanting isolation and quiet with its capacious lagoon bordered by a human made boardwalk, making a pleasant path on which to stroll.
We pulled into the local Best Western and registered with already having made reservations earlier. We asked the owner and desk clerk about viewing the Bellbirds. She grinned, replying that she would be happy to tell us where to travel to hear the Bellbirds, but not to expect to see them. She shared her thoughts that the birds were very intelligent, easily hiding themselves from any human observation, and she had lived there her entire life, never viewing a Bellbird. I listened with respect, but thought to myself – nonsense! How can a little bird out smart me, a large sentient primate and enthusiastic birdwatcher?
Cocora Beach
We spent the night at the quiet and well maintained hotel, arising for breakfast and then departing to Cocora Beach to visit with the Bellbirds. We arrived in a small parking lot and strolled some distance to find the Bellbird forest. It wasn’t difficult to discover where the birds stayed, because the little bell sounds were everywhere. The forest cathedral created a thick canopy for a roof with plenty of medium level shrub plants, and its floor was a bedding of natural litter. From every direction high in the trees, we heard the sounds of “bing, bing” like little bells heard in a church procession or perhaps at the corner of city blocks during the Christmas holidays. We didn’t know if we were actually hearing the birds or the echoes from their voices. Where were they, if not everywhere? We remained silent with binoculars looking throughout the various eucalyptus trees. I stood like a statue without movement, then penetrated deeper into the woods and laid quietly on my back in the leaf litter to observe these cagey little creatures. Never was I able to view the illusive Bellbirds. They must have insidiously watched me, since every time I moved in the direction of their sounds, silence would ensue. Then, I would hear their jingling voices in another area. We never saw any movement, not even the stretch of a wing. I was humbled by their abilities to mask themselves! We left without ever seeing a Bellbird, only the wonder of their beautiful voices!
Bell Miner birds are in the honeyeater family and the passerine order of birds. This species is endemic to Southeastern Australia living near the coast or in gullies near foothills, often at the edge of rainforest areas. They remain about 8 meters from the ground floor and seldom permanently leave their selected habitat. They live in large colonies and aggressively defend their territory from other passerine birds, making sure they completely exclude them. They feed on insects, specifically psyllids and also will consume the nectar from eucalyptus trees. By the way, judging from my picture, someone was lucky enough to take a photograph of one of these cunning little birds.
Jennifer Horton Chadwick
California Gypsy 