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Hi folks,
This is my first bird related contribution to
Birding-Aus and I have been very reluctant to state my observation. But with the
reported sighting of the Brolga at Artarmon and the following discussions it
appears my contribution is over due.
About three weeks before the reported sighting of
the Brolga at Artarmon I was sitting on my back verandah looking out into my
mini national park, my back yard in suburban Ermington, and was startled by an
abnormally large shadow of a bird above me coming to rest about twenty feet from
me.
I couldn't believe my eyes as I watched with
amazement and absolute delight as the Brolga landed at the edge of the grassy
area of my yard and proceeded to feed, oblivious to my presence, amongst all the
natural undergrowth.
I honestly thought I was seeing things - initially
I thought the bird might have been injured - it wasn't and I had a hard time
convincing myself that it was a brolga. I watched
it for nearly 15 minutes as it warily moved up and down the grass, darting it's
lovely neck into the undergrowth every few steps it took.
I was so excited, when it flew off I shot in to
check my books and it was definitely a brolga.
When I told my son of my wonderful experience his
response was "What have you been drinking?" My friends all passed similar
comments to the point I started to doubt myself so you can imagine my delight
when I read of the Brolga report at Artarmon and over Macquarie
University.
Macquarie University, Artarmon and Ermington are
all within reasonable proximity adding more weight to the existence of Brolgas
in this area of Sydney.
If I am ever fortunate enough to see anything like
this again I won't be so apprehensive in letting you know. I wonder where the
Brolga is now?
Happy birding,
Maralyn Watts
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