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Hi all,
As is the case everywhere winter migrants and summer migrants are leaving
and going in Townsville. Unforunately this winter Grey Fantails have been way
down and I have not seen a single monarch. Perhaps a result of the southern
bushfires - any comments. Leaden Flycatchers are still here.
All the summer migrants have arrived (except Dollarbirds, which don't come
until October). Pied Imperial Pigeons have been seen allopreening in preparation
for nesting and the resident Rainbow Bee-Eaters are digging into the earth
everywhere. One nest is suituated on perfectly flat ground - highly
unusual.
A flock of Cotton Pygmy-Geese on the Ross River adjacent to the Palmetum is
growing everyday - 25+ at the moment. Slightly disturbing news is the presence
of several Spotted Turtle-Doves around the place - hopefully random escapees and
not a calculated colinisation. A pair of Long-billed Corellas are residing
at Bushland Beach - the story goes that a bloke travelling the east coast
with a large number of pet LBC's (as you do) realeased/lost several at towns
along the way.
Other species in nesting mode are Masked Lapwings (rendering many places
around the city out-of-bounds), Brown-backed Honeyeaters & Magpie Larks. A
pair of Brahminy Kites is on eggs and 2 Black Kite chicks have just fledged in
the area in which I live.
Happy Birding
Tim Dickson
Townsville
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