Not that this is really a Canberra based
observation, but if we want to talk about finch central—and central finches—which
seems a nice topic for a cold evening, can I add the observation that the best place
I have ever been for finches in Oz was Timber Creek in the NT. Near the air
strip there, on a visit a few years back, there were large flocks of Gouldians
in all the common morphs, Star Finches, Masked and Long-tailed Finches and
Chestnut-breasted Mannikins. Truly a remarkable finch area….. J
Stephen Mugford
From:
Mark Clayton [
Sent: Friday, 25 May 2007 5:29 PM
To: 'Geoffrey Dabb';
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds]
Central Finch
Geoffrey,
Guess what? I have only
ever seen one wild Gouldian Finch
and would you believe, it just happened to be a juvenile! Those that were on
the Great Grasswren Hunt in 2000 will remember the bird.
Cheers,
Mark
From:
Geoffrey Dabb [
Sent: Friday, 25 May 2007 4:40 PM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Central
Finch
Well
done to Mark Clayton, Steve Holliday, Benj Whitworth, Dave Sampson and
Muriel Brookfield who all recognised an immature Gouldian Finch. Quite
tricky I thought and not something I could have done cold, I must say.
I
thought you might have been put off by the ‘central’ association. Rather
surprisingly, it seems the only real ‘central Australian finch’ is the Painted,
being the only one apart from the widespread Zebra that is found in Alice Springs. [Map from Schodde & Mason ‘Directory
of Australian Birds’]
