Syd,
I have been told by Ian Hutton that there has been a suggestion that
Blackbirds were assisted to Lord Howe Island during the 2nd World War,
for what reason is unknown. They were supposed to be flown in by a RNZAF
Flying Boat????
Regards,
Alan Leishman
Alan Leishman, National Herbarium of NSW, Botanic Gardens Trust, (part
of NSW Department of Environment & Conservation), Mrs Macquaries Road,
Sydney, NSW Australia 2000. Tel: +61-2-9231 8166. Fax: +61-2-9241 2797.
email:
-----Original Message-----
From: Syd Curtis
Sent: Wednesday, 10 March 2004 6:51 PM
To: bird
Subject: Balckbird behaviour query
European Blackbirds were introduced into Australia and New Zealand, then
found their own way to Lord Howe Island. Australia some 500 km west is
the
nearest land, but at the time of their arrival at LHI, New Zealand had
the
nearest Blackbirds.
On Boxing Day, 1996, I tape-recorded a Blackbird near Thompson's Store
on
LHI. It was simply repeating a single, sort of piping note which lasted
a
little less than one-tenth of a second, and I have counted 21 notes in
20
seconds, but the spacing is variable.
The bird making those notes was and aberrant Blackbird with an
appreciable
amount of white. I have referred to it as "pied". A second Blackbird
joined in, with both of them making the same soft notes. On the
recording I
said:
"Those softer calls (are) from a second Blackbird on the ground, not
pied, carrying a moth in its beak. Correction, now that I see the
insect,
it has clear wings, possibly a cicada. If so, a small one.
"(The) bird is sitting up on the roof of the building now, just
watching
me. Making no attempt to either eat, or take it to a nest."
Q.1 Can anyone familiar with Blackbirds suggest what was going on?
(No
Blackbirds around here - Brisbane.)
Q.2 Has anyone, who has visited LHI recently, seen a pied Blackbird
near
Thompson's Store?
TIA
Cheers
Syd Curtis
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