birding-aus

Buff-banded Rail and Snakes

To: Dean Cutten <>
Subject: Buff-banded Rail and Snakes
From: Tom Tarrant <>
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:19:07 +1000
Hi Dean,

Saw something very similar last Sunday at Samsonvale Cemetery (SE Qld).
Marie and I were waiting for a Spotless Crake to reappear on the edge of a
small wetland and I noticed a large snake (probably an Eastern Brown) moving
slowly under the lantana. Whilst trying to point the snake out to Marie I
noticed a Buff-banded Rail walking purposely behind it, obviously aware of
the snakes presence. Unfortunately we didn't see the outcome of the
encounter but I felt that the rail was actively 'stalking' it's mortal
enemy.

Tom Tarrant



On Thu, Oct 13, 2011 at 9:37 PM, Dean Cutten <> wrote:

> AUS Birders,
>
>
>
> Our resident BB Rail ( which has been seen around our garden area since
> July
> 15) is very intrigued with snakes. We have a couple of Red-Bellied snakes
> around the place which we know about by the alarm calls of Fairy-Wrens and
> Scubwrens. On 2 occassions, we have seen the B-B Rail follow the snake
> keeping only a few inches away while it can see it. Yesterday (13/10) the
> snake had gone into a thick area where the  Rail could not see it. The Rail
> anticipated where it might reappear and hurried around the area waiting for
> it to show, which indeed it did. It's been fascinating to watch this
> activity.
>
>
>
> The Rail has become much less timid since we first observed it. One can
> generally walk around and it does not bother to move and goes on feeding.
> It
> is a very relaxing bird to watch as it methodically works over an area.
>
>
>
>
>
> Dean Cutten
>
>
>
> Victor Harbor, SA
>
>
>
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-- 
********************************
Tom Tarrant
Kobble Creek, Qld

http://kobble.aviceda.org

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/aviceda/
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