That’s great news that you have been
monitoring them and that they are still around. I did get to see them when they
were reported on the chat line some time back, and when I went back with a
friend and saw the grass slashed and read the reports was upset to think they
had been displaced. I did wonder what their natural movements were and where they
went to etc, so your report is encouraging.
Thanks
philB
From: Marnix
Zwankhuizen [
Sent: Monday, 13 November 2006
9:29 AM
To: Canberrabirds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Breeding
White-fronted Chats
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.
