At 05:13 PM 28/02/2008, you wrote:
Looking back over the 26 years of the GBS from mid-February to
mid-March there are typically 100 observations (ie an average of 4
per year) of Yellow-Faced Honeyeater. Thnumber of observations for
each week over 26 years rises sharply through late March hitting
over in the first week of April with a peak of 684 observations in
the week begining 16 April.
If these observations reflect a general movement it is certainly
rather early. As to the cause, I have no opinion.
Martin et al,
We've not even reached 30'C this February in Canberra, after some
heat in January. Observing my own garden and gardens of friends
there are a lot of autumn flowering plants that are weeks early (I
have leaves up on some bulbs that are literally a couple of months
early!). I am assuming that the migratory patterns of the yellow
honeyeaters would be following the flowering of certain plants (i.e
their food sources), or else temperature patterns (this February has
been more like a usual March I would think) so I personally don't
find it much of a surprise to see any migratory bird being a bit
confused this year.
Just mentioning this as I had seen a couple of people express
surprise as to why things would be different this year...... if
you're an avid gardener at the moment it is obvious that things are a
tad mixed up!! <grin>
Cheers.
Paul T.
Canberra, Australia - USDA Zone Equivalent approx. 8/9
Growing an eclectic collection of plants from all over the world
including Aroids, Crocus, Cyclamen, Erythroniums, Fritillarias,
Galanthus, Irises, Trilliums (to name but a few) and just about
anything else that doesn't move!!
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