range of foraging for Aus Reed Warblers?

["Michael & Janette Lenz" <>]

The dryland vegetation (shrubs, lower parts of trees etc.) around marshes is very important for Australian Reed-Warblers while they have young. They may forage for 30m or more away from the reeds in search of insects. During spring migration they can also be found in shrubs with no water in sight.

During the 1982 drought seven land-based territories were occupied on the ANU campus alone in late November (in addition to the many territories in the reeds along Sullivan?s Creek in which birds had settled earlier in October). The late arrivals were most likely birds displaced from their original breeding grounds which may have dried up. While most of the land territories at ANU were occupied only by males, 1 or 2 had a female as well, and in one at least one fledgling was produced. These territories were held between 18 days and 2+ months (see also Corella 13 (3), 1989, 91-92).

 

Certainly interesting that this year we have again Reed-warblers calling from shrubbery away from the water.

 

Michael Lenz