Restless Flycatcher in Rivett

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Tobias asked about the Restless Flycatcher. Hardly in the realms of common in Canberra. It ranks as 96 in the list of number of records in the first 21 years of the GBS. Here is the text from the GBS Report:

Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta

A woodland inhabitant, this species shows a marked contrast to the prior two species. Unlike them, it does not leave our region for northern Australia in the winter. It is a winter rather than a summer visitor to Canberra. It is probably an altitudinal migrant. Its monthly pattern resembles an intriguing reverse of that of the Grey Shrike-thrush. Although the pattern and abundance vary widely over the years, for all years combined it is remarkably smooth. After a winter arrival, they leave over a short period in early spring to go to breeding areas in the less disturbed woodland and riverine environment outside the city. Then in different months in different years they return, from a minimum in November, it rises very smoothly to a peak in July. Very likely post breeding, the birds move slowly towards the suburban habitat and only stay briefly. They can be widespread. There are only few records involving birds staying at a site for several weeks. They tend to be just one or two birds, with many isolated observations of birds passing through without staying long. Long-term numbers have fluctuated widely with just a hint of a decrease.
Graphs on page: 101, Rank: 96, A = 0.00477, F = 7.08%, W = 9.8, R = 0.453%, G = 1.05.

("the prior two species" are the Leaden and Satin Flycatchers.) I have only had one observation of the species at my Kambah GBS Site (since 1985).

Philip