(1) Inner n and s Canberra has been their local stronghold, particularly the
s.
(2) They are infrequently reported from Belconnen, supporting Paul's
comments.
(3) Speaking for my own (inner s) area, they have certainly declined. After
being daily regulars in season, they are seen/heard once a fortnight at
best.
(4) Elizabeth Compston has them more regularly about 500m away near the
Brumbies' HQ.
(5) A reliable area for them, currently, is Mugga Way. I saw one at Canberra
Grammar today.
(6) Normally summering in the hills, they do nest in the suburbs
occasionally.
(7) The overall trend is difficult to gauge, because of seasonal long-term
variability from year to year, clearing of (weed) food plants (cotoneaster
etc), ACT being on the western limit of their range etc etc. Joe Forshaw
believes they are declining.
(8) A few years ago I coordinated the Great Chatline Gang-gang Survey, well
supported, with results reported at the time, probably buried in the archive
somewhere.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ann Howarth
Sent: Thursday, 11 October 2007 6:06 PM
To: Frank Antram; Paul Tyerman;
Subject: Gang Gangs in Higgins
We don't usually see them around here in Isaacs, although they have been
heard on rare occasions. After the fires of 2003 a few seemed to take up
residence in the pines on Isaacs Ridge for a while but even then they were
only occasionally heard and rarely seen. Unfortunately, I had had back
surgery at that time so was unable to climb up onto the ridge to investigate
at close quarters.
Ann
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