Red-chested Button-Quail on Black Mountain

[martin butterfield <>]

Fortunately the grass is Joycea pallida and it is thus not so full of sock killing seeds as are many other species of native grass in this area.  However one should not think of snakes in such an environment in Summer.  I spent an hour there this morning for no joy in the matter of Button-quail.

I started my trip at the car service place in Fyshwick and noticed several darter nests and many young darters out of the nests in Molonglo Reach towards the Hospice.  Note thatthe bike path between Duntroon and the Hospice has been seriously trashed by the floods: it is passable with care but care is emphasised.

Martin

On Fri, Dec 24, 2010 at 10:14 AM, Peter Milburn <> wrote:

Late yesterday afternoon I had the freakish good fortune to witness 2 male and 1 female Red-chested Button-Quail walk past my feet on Black Mountain under, the big power lines that parallel Barry Drive.  This was quite close to the car park with the big stile

I was looking for orchids (Paracaleana minor) in head high grass when I noticed a movement in the grass.  The birds wandered right past me (within 1 metre) before they flushed.  This is the best view I have had of this species and I am absolutely certain of the identification.    They are an irruptive species and adding this to the sighting from Umbagong the chances are that they will be around in greater numbers than just those reported so far.

My camera was in its case of course but I think they would have spooked anyway if I had moved a muscle towards it.  I had forgotten the curious way that they fly up vertically out of the grass, skim over the seed heads and then suddenly drop to ground only a short distance away.

Sorry for the late notice but these are busy times.

Milburn

--
Dr P.J Milburn
Technology Specialist
Australian Cancer Research Foundation Biomolecular Resource Facility
John Curtin School of Medical Research
Australian National University
GPO Box 334
Canberra ACT 0200
'Phone +61 2 6125 4326
FAX      +61 2 6125 9533

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