Breeding White-fronted Chats

["Marnix Zwankhuizen" <>]

As of Sunday 12 November the pair of nesting White-fronted Chats I have been monitoring at the corner of Uriarra Road and Coppins Crossing Rd have fledged young. It seems likely that the same pair of birds seen in July-August this year attempted to nest again after that attempt was cut short (see Harvey's article in the latest CBN). I first saw the pair carrying food on Monday 6 November. I then returned to watch them several times during the week and on Sunday (12 Nov) I couldnt find them. Upon checking the nest I found it empty. There was no sign of foul play or predation so I suspect the nestlings may have left the nest sometime on Saturday, as the parents were still busy carrying food late on Friday afternoon.

 

I believe this may be the first known successful breeding of this species in the ACT in 18 years. (since 1988). Barbara, I will submit a datasheet for the database.

 

I have attached a photo of the nest, which was situated some 20 cms above the ground near the base of a grass tussock. The nest was hidden in the grass tussock on the right side in the photo in where the small gap is showing in the tussock on the pic.

 

Cheers

Marnix

 

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