The text would be more accurate if it said WTEs regularly nest
in nature parks IN the suburbs. There have been recent nests at Callum
Brae, on Mount Mugga, at Wanniassa Hills, and on Isaacs Ridge. These are
usually the birds seen over residential areas.
As to trends, I am not so sure of this but I think Jerry
Olsen is of the view that Canberra’s abundant suburban WTEs may now be in
decline.
From:
David McDonald [
Sent: Monday, 1 February 2010 2:51 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Wedge-tailed Eagle over Hughes
It is probably worth noting what the fine Birds of
Canberra Gardens 2nd edn actually says about Wedge-tailed Eagles before we
go too far with comments on the book from people who have yet to read it
(though clearly Mark does not fall into this category):
Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax
Not a garden inhabitant but these magnificent eagles are moderately common over
the hills and river valleys around Canberra, especially to the south. Records
are of birds flying overhead, often in pairs. There are nest sites along the
Murrumbidgee River corridor and these birds are often seen over adjoining
suburbs, especially in late summer to autumn. Numbers seen over the suburbs
have increased greatly in recent years, possibly because the birds are ranging
more widely, rather than an actual increase in numbers.
So the text is explicit that the bird does not use suburban
gardens as such, but usefully explains, for its intended audience, the general
public, about observations of this species made from suburban gardens.
Cheers - David
On 31/01/2010 8:32 PM, Mark Clayton wrote:
Good evening all,
For a long time I have been intrigued by what species are actually
being classed as “garden” birds in the ACT. To me a garden bird is
something that actually USES my garden, not something that has flown half a
kilometre up and over the top. How many people have actually had Wedge-tailed
Eagles land in their garden or within the prescribed area used for GBS
recording? In the latest edition of “Birds of Canberra Gardens” there
is even a breeding record listed that I find rather unbelievable. There are
numerous species recorded in the book that I cannot accept as garden birds
– several other species of raptors, both swift species unless they have
actually landed in a tree (which at least some do at night to roost), grebes,
pelicans, spoonbills, snipe etc, etc.
I am not trying to start an argument with this; I’m just
trying to work out what is a “genuine” garden bird and what is not.
Rational discussion welcomed!
Mark
From: Philip Veerman
Sent: Sunday, 31 January 2010 5:41 PM
To: ;
'Canberra Birds'
Subject: [canberrabirds] Wedge-tailed Eagle over Hughes
From the GBS Report, the F value of the Wedge-tailed Eagle is
12.06%. Which means that the average of the annual values over those 21
years of the proportion of sites at which the species was recorded at least
once in the year (i.e. F%), is 12.06%. This would tend to suggest that
having missed it for 15 years, it has so far been under observed at your site.
As for me I observe them I think every year and most likely several
observations (i.e. weeks) per record (i.e. year). But then again I am between
Mt Taylor and the Murrumbidgee and they commute over my house. And I do spend
much time hanging up the washing.
As for "The list of possibles for the house list is getting
shorter". That is a well known phenomenon that applies to all such systems
and is shown on the GBS Report in Figure 15 that combined data for all sites
together and shown in inverse in Figure 16 (but making the same point if
you think around it) for the seven sites that contributed every year.
-----Original
Message-----
From:
Sent: Sunday, 31 January 2010 11:41 AM
To: Canberra Birds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Wedge-tailed Eagle over Hughes
Had to happen eventually, of course, but we've finally
spotted one (c.11.30am this morning). Only took 16 years....
The list of possibles for the house list is getting shorter.
:-)
John Leonard
