I was just south of the Finniss River on Wagait Aboriginal Land
(about 2 hrs drive south-west of Darwin, NT and about 40 mins west
of Wangi Falls, Litchfield Park) last Friday and spotted a large flock
of Oriental Pratincoles. A lifer for me, although goodness knows how
many I've overlooked in the previous two years!
I go to this area quite frequently because the landowners are
conducting a very successful campaign against the invasive weed
Mimosa pigra, which I am studying. The general area around the
study site consists of wetlands infested with mimosa thickets,
reclaimed wetlands, a big billabong (with crocs) and
riverside/Melaleuca forest. It is becoming quite a haven for birds - I
saw a pair of Star finches here a couple of weeks ago - apparently
they don't get seen close to Darwin as often as they used to.
Perhaps the most exciting recent find was a potential Masked owl
(sighting being considered by the NT vetting committee). When I
arrived at the camp I flushed a Tyto owl from a tree, which flew a
short distance to a large fig tree. Knowing how hard they can be to
identify I made copious notes. I didn't think it was a barn owl - I've
seen plenty of them in the past. However, it was definately not a
grass owl - legs did not extend beyond tail in flight, wasn't dark
enough above, didn't have the 'long face & beady eye' look.
HANZAB proved very helpful. According to HANZAB the northern
race of Masked owl 'kimberli' is small and pale. Indeed it was similar
to a barn owl - it didn't look all that massive compared to most
pictures of masked owl in field guides. Key features were: a
conspicuous thick black edge to a roundish (not heart-shaped)
facial disc. Very large eyes, that looked even larger due to dark
feathering around them. Fairly heavy spotting on side of neck and
underside. Legs feathered all the way down and massive feet that
looked like boxing gloves in flight!
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has experience with this
race of Masked owl. Regarless of whether this record is accepted
I'd encourage anyone to take a closer look at any barn owls in this
part of the world!
Quentin
Dr Quentin Paynter
CSIRO Entomology, Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre
PMB 44 Winnellie NT 0822
Australia
PH (61)(0)8 8944 8420
FAX (61)(0)8 8944 8444
E-mail
http://www.dar.dwe.csiro.au/
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