birding-aus

Princess Parrot irruption.

To: "'Ian May'" <>, "'birding aus'" <>
Subject: Princess Parrot irruption.
From: "Jeff Davies" <>
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:31:41 +1000
G'day Ian,

Following your progress across the centre with great interest.
The plant with the red flowers you have photographed is Leptosema chambersi.

Cheers Jeff.



-----Original Message-----
From: 
 On Behalf Of Ian May
Sent: Monday, 16 August 2010 11:34 AM
To: birding aus
Subject: Princess Parrot irruption.

Hello all

Have just returned to base last night after more than 5 weeks away 
camping  in the bush of Central Australia.   It was with some 
disappointment to find that nearly all recent discussion about the 
Princess Parrot irruption had been changed to a topic about entry 
permits into Aboriginal land.  I wish to emphasize that prior permission 
to enter Aboriginal land is essential.  Our personal permissions to 
access these areas were given personally by traditional landowners, 
elders from Jamieson/Kintore communities.  The story about how this came 
about is a fascinating one and I hope to post an account of this as soon 
as I have time to prepare it.

Regarding the occurrence of Princess Parrots, as said previously there 
are many hundreds, probably thousands spread throughout more than 160 
km. of a geographic area that probably could be described as the tall 
desert oak woodlands of the eastern Gibson Desert dune fields.  From our 
most recent observations, birds appear to be breaking away from flocks, 
spreading out across many areas and forming pairs and smaller groups.  
They are obviously breeding at some locations as some birds have ruffled 
stained ruffled belly feathers and their long tails are clearly bent 
from sitting in hollows.

It would seem very likely that some Princess Parrots will turn up in 
public access areas.  The habitat also appears ideal around Kings Canyon 
less than 50 km from where we had observed good numbers north of 
Mereenie oil fields.  At present there is also excellent habitat along 
several kilometers of the Lasseter Hwy travelling west starting from 
about 6 km. west of Curtin Springs.

Ideal habitat is Desert Oak with some dead stags adjacent to sand dunes, 
some large scattered spotted/bloodwood eucalypts and stands of orange 
flowering gravellier are usually found in the dune swales nearby.   
Abundant seeding spinifex and other grasses are on the dunes.  Most 
importantly appears to be a common stunted needle leafed plant (stunted 
Hakea?) with dense clusters of red tubular flowers growing from the 
base.  This plant is common and in its early stage of flowering, seems 
to be part of a critical habitat association with Princess Parrots.  The 
birds appear to be drawing moisture from its succulent flower bases.  If 
anyone can suggest the correct species identification for this plant, I 
have just posted some pictures on Flickr. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oo000oo/sets/72157624733435776/

Regards and good birding


Ian May

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