While I understand Alistair’s
frustration with the number of calling Koel reports, I support Geoffrey’s
comment that breeding activity is what we need to hear about so knowing where
they are and when they are calling may help. For instance I live within a
kilometre of Geoffrey and of the Griffith shops where Koels have been recorded
calling at different times. I’m prepared to accept that the call may be
by the same bird. However, this morning as the sparrows indulged in their
colonic explosion, I heard what sounded like two Koels. The typical hopeful “koel?”
followed by more guttural calls, similar to those I have heard in Sydney and
last year in Goulburn when both sexes were present and mating. Brief as it was,
it was different. I’m not holding my breath at either end but perhaps
breeding will occur.
Regards
Shaun
From: Geoffrey Dabb [
Sent: Thursday, 6 November 2008 8:18 PM
To: 'COG List'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Reporting Koels - why?
Exactly. But this is an
issue with many other species. At the moment, the spoonbills are equally
over-reported by the ‘me-too’ school. The antics of
these are definitely of interest, but with such species a summarised series of
observations made over time (rather than hour by hour, or even day by day)
would be much more useful.
To get back to the koels, a
recurrent issue (over 2-3 years) is the reason for their increased
presence. My guess is that it is the fruit (see previous messages).
Another possibility is the number of potentially-hosting nesting Red
Wattlebirds, as Peter and Anthony have suggested – but surely these have
been around for many years. I do not think we have had a single confirmed
breeding event. Indeed there have been relatively few reports of females,
perhaps about 1 in 10 reports. May I suggest that people be encouraged to
report any sign of breeding activity? It may be (just a guess) that in
the absence of such Canberra is an outpost being colonised by young
hopefully-breeding ingénues, being driven on by the frantic breeding
activity to our east.
From: Alastair Smith
[
Sent: Thursday, 6 November 2008 5:56 PM
To: 'COG List'
Subject: [canberrabirds] Reporting Koels - why?
Am I the only person who finds the incessant reporting of
Koels on Canberrabirds as incessant as the bird’s call? While I respect
everyone’s right to report sightings and hearings, can we please report
what is interesting or different, rather than every time the bird engages in
syringeal expansion.
Many thanks
Alastair
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