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To COG generally and Elizabeth Compston.
A couple of unusual observations from Robertson,
NSW.
My property is on an established migration route for Noisy
Friarbirds, Red Wattlebirds and Yellow-faced and White-naped
Honeyeaters.
This is easy to notice, because none of those 4 species reside
in the wet rainforest habitat of Robertson, but they do pass through every
year.
So, it is "exception reporting" made easy.
I know it seems early, but in the last two days I have seen
several small groups of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, four flocks (approx 12
birds each) of Noisy Friarbirds, and 3 groups of approximately 15 Red Wattle
Birds in each flock.
None of these birds reside in Robertson.
They all pass through on migration (both north and
south).
It seems too early to me, to be normal migration - but in my
experience, both the Friarbirds and RWBs normally fly in flocks
only on migration.
The weather has been mid-20s and cloudy. Again, not typical
weather for Honeyeater migrations to occur.
Their flight patterns appeared "direction-less" going up the
hill, (north-east) one minute, then back down shortly afterwards.
But in typical migration flock behaviour, including that
strange feeling when seeing a dozen or more of these birds passing by in
total silence.
Any comments from COG members?
In addition, there has been a number of "mixed feeding
flock" groups with such species as Brown Thornbill (resident), Red-browed Finch
(seasonal vagrant, but not a resident breeder here), White-browed Scrubwren
(resident) and Superb Fairy Wren (resident) and Silvereye (vagrant, non-breeder
- here).
This mixed flock behaviour reminds me of more typical
"autumnal" behaviour.
Other "migrant species" such as Rufous Fantails and
Black-faced Monarchs still present.
Cheers
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