I was fixated on the Lineated Barbet when I saw it building another nest, which could only be a decoy nest as its old nest was still actively occupied. I could only deduce that this was to put off a predator, a Crested Goshawk, which was nesting simply too close for comfort.
Nevertheless its action of literally boring a hole in the tree was just mesmerising and I was thrilled to be able to record its behaviour which lasted for almost an hour, continuously gouging and clearing before it finally flew off.
First, it came to check out the spot, which looked like it had worked on before.
It resumed scooping, then spitting, scooping, and spitting.
Then in it went again, and out, and the cycle continued, scoop, spit, scoop, spit. Amazing!
I counted and this was the fourth time it had entered and cleared the hole.
Its rhythm was astounding. Its clearing and spitting was simply a cycle a minute. And wood chips were just flying all over the place.
This was the sixth time it had entered the hole, and still it was fascinating to watch its antics.
The Barbet was truly indefatigable and earnest, seventh time now into the hole.
And then it turned round, flew to its own hole, peered in before it entered.
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