birding-aus

Massive surge in Topknot Pigeon numbers

To: "'Ricki Coughlan'" <>, "'birdingaus aus'" <>, "'Bruce Cox'" <>, "'Mia Dalby-Ball'" <>
Subject: Massive surge in Topknot Pigeon numbers
From: "Gregory Little" <>
Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:18:30 +1000
Ricki

Just to add another piece into the puzzle, saw a flock of about 20+
Topknot Pigeons at the south end of Lady Carrington Drive (Royal NP) on
the afternoon of the 24th August.

Greg Little

-----Original Message-----
From: 
 On Behalf Of Ricki Coughlan
Sent: Tuesday, 18 September 2007 7:11 PM
To: birdingaus aus; Bruce Cox; Mia Dalby-Ball
Subject: Massive surge in Topknot Pigeon numbers

Hi all

I was on Lady Carrington Drive in the Royal National Park today with  
a couple of friends from the US. Without a word of exaggeration, we  
counted over 500 Topknot Pigeons.

The day began with a fly-by of 140 birds at the entrance to the  
trail, very closely followed by another 100. Both flocks flew up the  
valley in a north-easterly direction. We shortly observed another two  
flocks of at least 60 birds and then another 100+ foraging in Cabbage  
Palms about 1.5 kilometres along the trail. The noise of calling  
pigeons, falling fruit and seeds, etc., had to be heard to be  
believed. Flocks of 30 to 70 birds continued to move up and down the  
valley at regular intervals for the remainder of the day.

Counted some twice? The patterns of movement and timing in which we  
saw them travel made for a minimum of 500 birds. It was actually  
easily possible that we saw more than 700 birds but I would have to  
concede that some of these birds could have doubled back and been  
recounted - but maybe not.

In the past I have thought that observations of a few flocks of 30  
birds was an exceptionally good day's observations at this location  
but this whole event has turned all of my observations since the  
1970's on this trail on their head.

Speculation for the reasons for this are probably pointless at this  
point. I can only suggest, at a pinch, that the birds are moving  
further south in a big way or perhaps the Cabbage Palms are doing  
than better ever in this location and word has gotten around.

Happy birding
(a mindboggled)
Ricki Coughlan

Sydney

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