| Hi all,
I went for a run at the Stromlo Forest track yesterday afternoon, and caught up with my mates, the chats (sighted at least 7 individuals again). Also present was a gang of young Australian magpies, approximately 12-15 in total, foraging around the general area.
At one point, as I was halfway along the Creek Loop, one individual began following me from the air as I ran. I assumed that it might be about to swoop, but in fact, it followed me at close quarters, riding the wind, for approx. 100m before flying off towards some dead trees. It was a pretty cool experience actually.
I'm not sure what its intentions were but I propose either 1) practice swooping or 2) optimal foraging. Personally, I think the latter is correct, and that this individual has cottoned on to the fact that humans running along the track occasionally flush prey items that can be more easily caught. It seems plausible, given that our local birds show up when we mow the lawn for the same reason. Smart birds!
I've also attached 2 pics of the chats from the other day - neither are great but they are good record shots.
Cheers!
Beth Mantle
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