Magpie Geese at Narromine

Received a call this morning about Magpie Geese breeding on the Macquarie River at Narromine (west of Dubbo, CW NSW).  The really interesting bit was that the person who rang had a gosling in his possession - it was separated from the parents and insisted on following the boat.

Anyway, I went out this afternoon to check.  Lo and behold it was a day old Magpie Goose gosling!  We then took the boat out and confirmed the presence of 10 adult geese with four nests - three still on eggs.  The 8 goslings seen the day before had been reduced to one (plus the one "rescued" bird).  Possibly foxes, maybe carp or eels.

It is hard to understand why the geese were nesting at this location.  The river is a typical inland watercourse - steep banks and nothing like their typical breeding habitat.  Of interest as well is that the nests were placed 5 metres above water in willows!  HANZAB says nothing about tree nesting by this species.

The gosling is now in my care and will be raised until it can be released back with the other birds.

Cheers

David Geering
Regent Honeyeater Recovery Coordinator
Department of Environment & Conservation
P.O. Box 2111
Dubbo  NSW  2830
Ph: 02 6883 5335 or Freecall 1800 621 056
Fax: 02 6884 9382



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