On Wed, Feb 02, 2005 at 08:48:44AM +1000, Syd Curtis wrote:
>
> Nothing to do with identification. Just a pleasant event.
>
> Last day of a Milford Track walk in New Zealand, and I was almost across the
> suspension bridge over the Arthur River. In the shrubbery, which is right
> up against the bridge on the western side, were four Grey Fantails: Mum and
> three juveniles.
>
> As soon as I paused, the notorious Milford sandflies attacked. By
> Queensland standards they are HUGE, and numerous. Was this what the
> fantails were waiting for, I wonder? Anyway, the three young'uns
> immediately started picking them off in mid-air, just inches in front of my
> face, while Mum fondly admired their newly developed dexterity.
>
> Unfortunately some of the marauders were getting through the guard, and I
> had to move on, but it was a delightful experience.
>
A little off-topic here, but does anyone know the status of
the Grey Fantail split between NZ and Australian races?
I have seen the NZ ones. The black ones look cool, but I wasn't
able to get a photo of one. Comparing the pied one and our
grey ones, they pretty much look the same.
I split, the NZ ones get Rhipidura fuliginosa and the austraian
ones get R. albiscapa (?).
Vin.
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