About the time when folk were reporting large numbers of moths there was
also a concatenation of Pied Currawongs and a catastrophe of Australian
Ravens at the summit of Black Mountain. The ravens, even very early in
the morning, appeared not to be hungry (ie flying about, not looking for
food). The Currawongs were feeding - quartering the canopies, shrub
layer and ground layer. They were also chasing the ravens about.
Reflecting on it a bit, I suspect that the Black Mountain Tower may be
gathering more than its share of the Bogongs, thus supporting, for a
while at least, unusual numbers of Australian Ravens and Pied
Currawongs. This in turn makes it very difficult for the suite of
smaller birds.
As an aside, there may be two 'populations' of Australian Ravens around
Black Mountain and adjacent Nature Reserves at the moment. The flock at
the top of Black Mountain has been there for a while. Some are now
moulting - with paired gaps in the wing feathers. None appear to be
juveniles. Those that I have identified individually have the calls and
the distended throat gorges typical of the Australian Raven. At the same
time Australian Ravens are still scattered in pairs through local nature
reserves engaged in breeding - usually now with ny or dy - although two
pairs appear to be having a second go this breeding season - one after
getting to dy. This pair was doing nest renovation last weekend. The
second pair looks to be brooding eggs. Unusually for the ACT, this nest
is in an electricity pylon so it is a bit difficult to climb up to
check. The scattered Australian Ravens are not moulting.
Con
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