Hi Rod,
Far from being an Urban sprawl the Duntroon Darters were,I
believe,the first to nest in this area at least 10 years ago? Your
comments on the snake were interesting,I always give them a wide birth as
they will (where a waterway is wide,like a Lake)come up onto a log so why
not a canoe?On that topic,I have seen many snakes in the water,and they just
thresh around on top of the water,or move in a serpentine manner on top,but
last year at Durras I surprised a very large Black Snake by a narrow
Creek,and didn't he go,he amazed with his speed,faster than on land and
thats saying something,and went straight as an arrow just under the
water,for about 40 metres.very impressive.The Gippsland Water Dragons you
describe are often near the Hospice,they seem chameleonic(Is that a word?)I
saw and reported one menacing a pair of Darters at a nest last year Ross
Bennett the Herpatologist considered that they would not be able to pull
that trick off,
Regards,Terry.
From: "Rod's Gardening" <>
To: <>
Subject: [canberrabirds] Molonglo Reach and Jerrabomberra Creek Date: Tue,
10 Jan 2006 00:07:25 +1100
Having in recent times neglected my local waterways in favour of coastal
haunts my N/Y resolution was to get back in the water and see what's
happening up here. About 4 hrs paddling on each of Sunday & Monday morns
produced the following:
- Darters. Many nests, many young, but for the first time (that I am
aware
of) there were active nests - 5 at least- on the Duntroon side of the
river.
I wonder if this is the avian equivalent of urban sprawl as the population
explodes. Nesting activity observed at 2 of those nests: a male bird flew
to one carrying sticks which were passed to the female sitting with at
least
3 downy young. She then placed these sticks on the outside of the young
ones as part of the nest structure. As the male flew off another male flew
in and the same process was repeated at nest no. 2. Male no.1 then
returned
from the other side of the river with a second bundle and again the process
was repeated. In effect the adults appeared to be expanding the nest to
accommodate the growing chicks. Is anyone able to comment on this
behaviour?
Incidentally, despite paddling several isolated waterways on our near south
coast, Canberra is the only place I have witnessed any Darter or Cormorant
nesting activity.
- Also on the Duntroon side of the river a smallish non-descript nest
occupied by an inquisitive chick. ID of White-faced Heron confirmed when I
returned on Monday to find an adult bird sitting on the nest, which didn't
appear to meet any of the criteria outlined in the Birds of the ACT Atlas:
"Their nests are large, untidy platforms of sticks, and are usually
constructed high in a eucalypt and are often some distance from water".
(Except possibly the sticks).
- Sunday's finale after returning to The Boathouse launching ramp was a
juvenile WB Sea Eagle being mobbed by Ravens and Masked Lapwings.
- Australian Shelducks(4) at the eastern end of East Basin, and Rufous
Night Herons (4) in Jerrabomberra Ck. Whistling Kite overhead. Also heard
the three syllable Little Grassbird call for about a minute, but couldn't
locate it.
- Also seen amongst approx 40 species were a pair of Sacred Kingfishers,
Red-browed finches, Y/F honeyeaters, & Dollarbird.
- Non-birding: Two water dragons (at least I think that's what they're
called) near Dairy Flat bridge, and what appeared to be a tiger snake
(stripes on sides) swimming in the channel which runs from Jerra Ck back
towards Duntroon.. Fortunately it didn't take a liking to our kayaks and
choose to exit the water on a small knoll before disappearing into some
reeds.
Almost forgot, Silver Gull seen on Saturday sitting on a nest on boat
moored
in Orana Bay.
Cheers
Rod
Rod Mackay
Tel: 0407 456 330
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