It is usually accepted that 5 birds will make a
flock - however in my view they must 'flock', that is they must be
reasonably cohesive. 2 or more 'flocks' might briefly merge into the one
aggregation. Usage varies as to whether such an aggregation is called a 'flock'.
In the below snap - showing about one quarter of the max number present - the
starlings gathered by flying in in small groups, and then broke up as small
groups left in dribs and drabs. On the other hand, a raptor could have
put the whole 500-odd up at the one time (a ‘flock’?).
I was thinking of this when also at Callum Brae yesterday
afternoon (and I agree numbers and variety are down), when counting a
ground-feeding party of 35 choughs. That probably represents 2 or more
breeding groups, but they might or might not have been (winter) 'flocking'.
Speaking of aggregations, I also saw flocks of 20+ Spotted Pardalotes and about
the same number of YR Thornbills. Also a mob of about 120 EG
Kangaroos. There must have been well over 200 in the reserve and I wonder
how long before the logic of the cull is brought to bear on these. A
female Brown Falcon was feeding on the remains of a rabbit.
Despite low counts of species you could still get
together a reasonable species total by visiting selected preferred haunts around
Canberra eg G Butcherbirds still at usual stations, honeyeaters in the
plantings at the Jerra Wetlands Reserve, Newline Paddock has J Winter, Peaceful
Doves, Br Treecreepers.
Despite concern a few years ago about Speck Warblers and
the redbreasted robins (esp Flame) these are turning up in the kinds of places
where they used to be expected.
-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Compston [
Sent: Sunday, 31 May 2009 3:19 PM
To: Canberra Birds
Subject: callum brae and magpie larks
We went to Callum Brae yesterday. The removal of
the fences has been
done very well and makes a huge difference to the
appearance of the
reserve. However, birds were scarce. We did
not see any small
birds, except a willie wagtail This was quite
different from this
time last year when we saw many small birds. There
was a flock (how
many birds make a flock?) of magpie larks, about 20,
feeding on the
ground with about 5 starlings, and magpies, crested
pigeons, noisy
miners, crimson and eastern rosellas, galahs, and
ravens. Very
disappointing.
Elizabeth
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