g?Day All
It gives me great pleasure to report about some unharmed banded
birds.
At present there is an estimated 35/40,000 Banded Stilts at
Penrice saltfields SA. The numbers have not varied much since
they returned here after their successful breeding event at Lake
Eyre North in 2000. Pink legs indicate all are mature birds,
having not seen any immature Stilts with grey legs here for more
than a year.
Interestingly, the number of birds acquiring full breast bands is
increasing rapidly at present. Since December 2000 until about
3 weeks ago, less than 20% of them had a breast band. Presently
the flock composition of birds showing complete bands has
increased to 40%; another 40% shows the development of a partial
band.
Such rapid change probably indicates these birds are changing
into their breeding plumage. This behaviour seems a little
optimistic when widespread drought prevails across the country.
Or perhaps Banded Stilts know something that we don't.
Regards
Ian May
Penfield, Adelaide
South Australia
0409 474 575
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