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I took our Bird Observers' Group back yesterday
[15/02/04] to see the two Topknot Pigeon nests found in the Mapleton Forest on
01/02/04. One of our group brought a telescope, which made the
viewing much more enjoyable. We observed for one and a quarter
hours, and there was no movement at the nests, other than the incubating bird
preening and resettling. The other birds were obviously off feeding
for the whole period. We had seen 15 to 18 birds about 500 metres
away [as the Topknot flies] earlier, and saw some scatty nests which were no
longer in use, but were made from the same type of twigs of which the observed
nests consisted.
The active nests, about 6 metres apart, were in 2
different trees - a Eucalyptus grandis and a Turpentine, the first being on a
very sturdy branch probably 250 mm in diameter, and the second in quite small
branchelets towards the top of the Turpentine.
Books vary in estimations of incubation times - 16
to 22 days - but I hope I am able to get back there to check them
out. I'd still love to hear from anyone who has watched nests in the
past.
Robyn
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