Hi All,
I have been meaning to write this for the last couple of weeks but have put
it off for various reasons.
Two weeks ago my wife and I spent several days with my daughter and family
in Jindabyne in NSW's snowy region. We stayed in town and visited various
resorts and other areas of interest. Although not a birding holiday I kept
my eyes open but only saw 31 species over the 3 full days we stayed there.
The most commonly seen species were: sparrows, starlings, Crimson Rosellas,
Superb Fairy-wrens, seagulls on the lake and Little Ravens. The Little
Ravens were the only birds seen above the snow line where they appeared to
get a good living foraging for scraps around the ski resorts.
While travelling south towards Threadbo and just short of the National park
gate we came across 6 Emus on the road, a male and 5 nearly fully grown
chicks, traffic was held up in both directions while the 5 chicks repeatedly
tried to cross the road towards the high side where the only attraction I
could see was a roo carcass in the spoon drain. The adult male was much more
wary of the cars. The area on the high side had been severely burnt with no
understory or ground cover (no food!) and was very steep. There seemed to be
no reason except the carcass to cause such a strong attraction. The whole
area for several ks. was burnt and the birds may have been starving.
Is anyone aware of any anecdotal or published information of Emus taking
carrion?
Bruce.
Bruce Cox.
48 Rangers Retreat Rd. Frenchs Forest.
Sydney. 2086. Australia.
Phone:--02 9451 5394.
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