Some weekend observations

Feeding birds is making them a nuisance.  I was sitting in Eddison Park, Woden, last Tuesday.  I pulled a sandwich out and was immediately surrounded by 20 magpies.  Twice, one actually leapt onto my shoulder and tried to snatch the snack from my hand.  Hitchcock would've loved it!

Maurits Zwankhuizen

-----Original Message-----
From:

Sent: Monday, May 09, 2005 9:48 AM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Some weekend observations

I made several of trips to Kellys Swamp on Friday and Saturday to try and
find the Black Falcon reported by Harvey Perkins. On Friday lunchtime
Michael Wright and I observed a solitary Yellow-billed Spoonbill landing at
the southern end of the swamp. On Saturday morning I observed a male and
female Australian Shelduck sitting on the log in the middle of the swamp.
European Greenfinches were active and very vocal and I counted at least 20
in a single flock. Double-barred Finches also seem to be more evident at
Kellys Swamp this year. While the Black Falcon didn't want to be found,
other raptors were evident and at one time there were three little Eagles
and a Whistling Kite in the air over the southern end of the swamp. I also
saw a Brown Goshawk on each visit.

On my way from the city to the wetlands later on Saturday morning I stopped
on the Monaro Highway adjacent to the 'pond' on the Canturf site and counted
12 Black-fronted dotterels. There were another 3 at Kellys Swamp when I
arrived as well two Red-kneed Dotterels.

Yesterday my family took a mother's day picnic down to Orana Bay (LBG) and
we were confronted with 54 Black Swans (including a single cygnet), two
pelicans and large numbers of Eurasian Coot. During the course of our stay
it became apparent why they were there such large numbers of birds when it
appeared that every second car turned up with bread for the swans.
Cheers
Alastair
____________________________
Alastair Smith
Manager
Cargo Controls
Australian Customs Service

Phone: 02 6275 6367
Mob:   0439 737 658
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