I’ve been playing with an answer to
the question, how many koels, for three years now. The regular postings on the
chat line and privately of dates/times/locations have built up a picture of a
minimum of four birds and possibly more. Very few records of females, and very
few records beyond suburbia. Curiously, this year they appear to have boycotted
the amply fruiting loquats hereabouts. b
From: Rosemary
Blemings [
Sent: Monday, 4 December 2006 3:55
PM
To: canberra birds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Superb
parrots
This may be of interest since numbers appear to be
increasing:
There was a flock of six Superbs flying S over gardens &
trees between Deasland & Avery Places, Fraser & then over the nearest
part of Mt Rogers at 9:30 Sunday morning.
A pair was feeding in flowering Eucalypts after this
flight. For at least 30 mins there was a lone female or juvenile
stationary in another 'Avery' tree. At first it preened but then just 'sat'
there without being approached by other SPs.
Today (Monday 4th) there were 4 'perched' SPs in the same
trees & a pair fed one of them before flying off to, I assume, forage.
Three of the perched birds were head under wing at 9:30. 20 minutes
later they were more active & feeding amongst Eucalypt blossoms in a lazy
sort of way. By the look of tail-length there were two females & two
juveniles in this left-behind group. It's possible that this group are genuine
'December arrivals' in that this suggests creching-behaviour to me.
Koel seen & heard in 'southern' Flynn Saturday 2nd at
8:30. One calling around 'mid-Flynn Sunday 7:30.
How many koels are likely to be here or "make a
summer?"
