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finch flocks

To: "Peter Madvig" <>, "Lorne Johnson" <>, <>
Subject: finch flocks
From: "Ricki Coughlan" <>
Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2005 15:33:25 +1000
If we are to include others than land birds, then what about migratory waders? Mixed flocks on Roebuck Bay regularly numbered over 30,000 around November and December lst year (often several of these in close proximity) and I have observed flocks where more than ten thousand Bar-tailed Godwits were present.
 
Broome Bird Observatory staff witnessed pure flocks of 3,500 Black-tailed Godwits depart on migration together around 3 weeks ago. Yes 3,500! That same night we observed several flocks of similar sizes making their way on their annual epic journey. Total for the night was a record - 9,200 birds! Deeply moving experience to be sure.
 
On Bush Point (south Roebuck Bay) some years ago, the world's largest mixed gathering of migratory waders was recorded: 100,000 plus! I witnessed 3 flocks of well over 30,000 individuals there in close proximity last year.
 
If we're not limiting ourselves to Australia, I believe that Flamingoes do it pretty well in Africa and Snow Geese are known to get about in flocks of 60 to 100 thousand! That's just for starters.
 
Ricki
Broome WA
 
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