Hi all
It is pleasing to report that on Friday 23rd July 2010 Pat and I located
good numbers of Princess Parrots frequenting an area of more than 100
sq. km within the Northern Territory between Yulara and Mt Liebig within
a geographic area that could be described as the eastern Gibson Desert.
The minimum number of birds observed were estimated to be more than 100
but it is probable there were many morein the area. The birds were very
active and had formed numerous flocks of mostly 12 to 20 birds. One
flock comprised more than 60 birds.
At about 1030 am on Friday morning while driving east along a remote
abandoned seismic track a flock of about 15 Princess Parrots flushed
noisily from vegetation in front of us. Calling loudly they allowed
great views before heading south west. In a state of excitement we
searched the surrounding dunes for more birds without success and after
about an hour we continued traveling east. After traveling about 4 km
further east we flushed another flock of about 20 birds. We decided to
camp at this location and at about 4.30 pm while looking south across a
broad valley between the dunes several flocks of from 12 to 20 birds
were observed simultaneously wheeling in from various directions and
merging to an area about 300 meters from me where they landed to
commence feeding. Minimum estimate of 100 birds in the area on Friday.
On Saturday 24th, as we were driving out we came across several birds
then a flock of more than 60 perched in full view on a dead desert
oak. Many birds were on the ground feeding among spinifex covered
sanddunes while others were perched in Desert Oak. There are many
flowering Gravilliar, Cassia, Eromophila and acaia in the area. It is
hard to estimate numbers accurately because they are so mobile however
there could be several hundred in the area
We have just resupplied at Alice Springs and now stopped at Erldunda to
send this email message before heading back out therein about 20 minutes
and out of phone and internet range. Sorry if this message is a bit
rushed but as we speak storm clouds are brewing to the south west so we
could be in for a wet night. We are heading out to the site hopefully
to take some more photos. Meeting Geoff Jones and Don Hadden at
Mereenie Oil Fields on the way. I will post full details including GPS
coordinates when we return in about a week.
Regards
Ian May
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