On one of my walks of the Milford Track ('98, maybe) I had just crossed the
Arthur River on the last day of the walk. The vegetation grew right to the
side of the high bridge on the western bank. I like to think that the
family of Grey Fantails were waiting for walkers to cross. Mother Fantail
and three juveniles.
I paused to admire the view down the river and immediately the notorious
Milford sandflies** attacked. This was what the birds were waiting for.
The three juveniles deftly picked off the sandflies in mid-air just inches
in front of my face, while Mother admired their newly developed aerial
dexterity. Unfortunately a few of the attackers were getting through the
guard and as I react very severely to sandfly bites, I had to move on. But
it was a happy experience.
A happy holiday season and a prosperous 2006 to all on birding-aus and the
birds we love.
Syd Curtis
** They are HUGE! I was told that one landed on the Milford aero pad and
the locals refuelled it before they realized what it was. :-)
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