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Although I've only been there 5 times, I think, I've
clocked up a few hours (4 this morning, 0830-1230). Following is
a summary drawing on my obs and others' reports. Feel free to correct
me.
(1) SPs at Majura were first reported by Nicki on 12
March. They have been around ever since, apparently increasing in
numbers. A number of about 60 has been reported several times
recently. Jenny's report today of 67 is the highest estimate so
far.
(2) A large number of these birds are juveniles, perhaps about
half. (An indication of these is the lack of red in the tail and on the
shoulder. However the crimson wing-bend can sometimes be
concealed when overlapped by the feathers on the side of the upper
breast. A yellow-orange iris is a reliable sign of an adult
bird.)
(3) They have been observed feeding on insects and
flowers, mainly the latter. Trees used are Apple and Yellow Box.
More recently they are taking advantage of the later-flowering Bundy, a good
example being the large tree at the inlet to the gully from the
tank-overflow. They have also used Silver Wattle.
(4) Inter-actions with Noisy Miners have been
variously reported. My own observations are that those 2 species will feed
or perch in proximity and do not react strongly to one another. Perhaps
this has varied over the period. However there is strong interaction with
P Currawongs. The Currawongs will fly at or towards SPs which are
quick to retreat from them, sometimes a large aggregation being put to
flight simultaneously. This seems to be 'play' on the part of the
currawongs, and is most noticeable early in the morning when the currawongs are
most numerous and active and the SPs most unsettled.
(5) The SPs drink at intervals througjhout the day from
the tank overflow, sometimes a dozen at a time. However not all birds
drink, some do so very briefly, and an occasional one for a longer
period. The extent to which they need water is not clear to me. They
are nervous drinkers but do not come to water more frequently than the
rosellas. SPs seen low down <2m are probably wanting to
drink.
(6) Overall pattern of movement is difficult to monitor
because of the area that they cover, but on the assumption there are 60-70
birds there are busy periods (all active sometimes in 2 or even one large
group(s)) and quiet periods (birds dispersed into smaller resting groups, with
just singles or up to 5 or so flying around).
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