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Some highlights from Lake Ginninderra shores today:
1. At 1400 h, on the tiny willow covered island near the swimming area, I
saw a Pied Cormorant perched on a willow. A few minutes later it flew off when a
canoeist paddled by and landed on open water 70 metres away. At 1600 h a
Pied Cormorant was back on the willow within three metres of a Little
Pied Cormorant presenting a great opportunity for comparison. Then COG member
John Brannan and his wife arrived and enjoyed the view. On 14 July 2002 I saw a
pair of Pied Cormorants in the same place and the report was endorsed by COG
Rarities Panel.
2. At 1440 h a flock of Australian White Ibis - c.70 birds - flying north
west across across Florey.
3. At 1700 h I was back in the ute at McDermott Place jotting notes when an
Crested Shrike-tit materialised out of the eather and perched sideways on the CB
aerial about 1.6 metres from my nose. Ten seconds later it landed on the
lower sill of the passenger's window which was wound up and seemed to
scruitinise the glass although it made no attempt to glean a few midges
crawling on the window. It inclined its head so the bill was pointed almost
vertically, and swiveled its body while calling. The performance reminded
me of Elvis Presley fronting up to the mike during his younger, more svelte
years. The bird seemed to ignore its reflection in the exterior rear-view mirror
just 20 cm from it. Maybe it wasn't feeling narcissistic, or perhaps it was
fully occupied responding to its reflection in the window glass. After 15
seconds, it exited stage left and resumed its perch on the CB aerial for five
seconds before flying away.
John Layton
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