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Hi all
On Sunday 6 February, Samantha, my daughter, went for a walk around Lake
Ginninderra. Upon reaching the western end of the dam, she turned south-easterly
intending to check the casaurinas for Nankeen Night Herons. As she walked
towards a clump of eucalyptus trees and acacia shrubs, she saw a male
California Quail standing about 25 metres away, beneath the trees. She
watched through her binos for some 30 seconds. Then, as she crept towards it,
the bird scuttled away and, although she searched for 10 minutes, couldn't find
it again.
Sam is 22 and a keen birder. She's observed California Quail in the wild in
southern California during 2003/04. So, if Ms. Sam says it was a California
Quail, you can bet your bird books it was.
And, Barbara Allan, I guess this warrants a rare bird report?
We went for a slow walk around L. Ginn this morning and recorded 38
species. We watched an Olive-backed Oriole catch, bash and eat a
caterpillar (c. 2.5 cm long). The oriole was in immature plumage with a dark,
rather than reddish bill. I was surprised by the number of Little Pied
Cormorants we saw. Probably, about 60. I try to keep my estimates on the
conservative side. Most of them appeared to be fishing. So, there must be plenty
of fish in the lake. Yeah, lots of fish. Sorry, I shouldn't keep carping about
it.
Had better go now.
Bye Bye
John.
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