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Gooday all,
On the 7 November 2004 while my wife and I
were conductin an Atlas count at the Rose Bay Turn-off Bowen Queensland, we
observed a similar situation involving a large python. Our attention was drawn
to the situation by the collection of birds that had gathered at a large
Paperbark tree. The birds involved in the noisy behaviour included Australian
Magpie, Helmeted Friarbird, Yellow-throated Miner, Dollarbird, Great Bowerbird,
Pale-headed Rosella and Laughing Kookaburra. On observing the Kookaburra I
thought that it may have been responsible for the birds action. However on the
opposite side in a large Pandanus a Python with a body as large as my arm had
curled up and had its head protruding into a hollow. The birds had carried out
this noisy behaviour for approx 2 mins before they fell silent and started to
disperse.
The following morning armed with my video camera
only to finf that the snake had gone.
What amazed me about this bird behaviour was the
unity of purpose by all species present working somewhat cooperatively to warn
of the present danger or distract the predator.
Jon Wren
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