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In company of David McDonald and Anthony Overs,
observed pair of Budgerigars at same site mentioned at Yarramundi at approx 4:30
pm today (Sunday).
Seem to be favouring shorter grass just behind
shoreline reeds on bay directly down from ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Cultural Centre. Seen in grass just to left of blue gum clump on knoll
several meters beyond fossil sign "A long time coming" which may or may not be
unintentional comment. When flushed flew up to lower branches of deciduous trees
(willows, Salix spp?).. Both bright colours and clearly physically attracted to
one another (if you have to ask, I'll take this off-line...) Once down
in grass again, could be seen peering above grass until they flew up again
to deciduous trees back towards the centre in which there were a number of Dusky
Woodswallows.
In keeping with earlier comments, the three of us
saw them land in the trees, trained our binoculars on them into the sunset,
turned to each other to talk about the experience and the birds disappeared from
the trees. Woodswallows still there but Budgerigars gone. Plumage aside, and I
am not qualified to comment on cage vs. wild, their behaviour indicated to me
that these are actually wild birds. I would also comment that in other parts of
the world where I have seen unusual sightings, they happened in the forefront of
major weather changes such as the sweeping low pressure that delivered the
rains.
If you are looking for them subsequent to this
message, may I suggest that you do not look among the miriad red-rump parrots
that are taking advantage of the copious grass seed. I was going to write a
descriptive difference but they really are so different that I think it is
wasted energy. Listen for the calls of the Budgerigar and keep in mind that size
and colour are quite different. Enough teaching my grandmother to suck eggs for
the moment...
Cheers
Shaun
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