Geoffrey and Philip, thank you for this important extra information.
In my view this is a very significant record, possibly the first indication
of breeding in the local (ACT?) area, or could it have flown up from the
coast? From my count there were 5 observations (all aural or of birds seen
moving through quickly through) of this species posted on the COG chat line from
the last week of November to mid December. Together with those around the
blitz, this is significantly more than in the past 3 years where the COG Annual
Report indicates only single records in 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.
Is this due to the much wetter and better breeding conditions or is this
the start of a more regular influx during spring/summer as has happened with the
Eastern Koel?
Jack Holland
From:
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 2:19 PM
To:
Cc:
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Channel-bill, Campbell
Park
Yes - there was none of
that declaratory trumpeting, just the occasional protesting squeal from the
cuckoo. Over about 20 mins it was harassed continually mainly by W
Wagtails and Magpie-larks. The attached will give the
flavour.
I think it very likely that the
occasional quiet and unreported bird passes through.
As to Campbell Park, the only
relevant memory I have is back in the busy days of the nesting Painted
Honeyeaters when various researchers were operating in the area of the
‘triangular dam’. Mark Clayton brought a visitor to try for a
Painted, and the first thing he said was that he’d just heard a Channel-bill
flying over. That would probably be November of a fairly birdful
year.
From: Jack
& Andrea Holland [
Sent: Friday,
21 January 2011 1:10 PM
To: Geoffrey Dabb
Cc:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds]
Channel-bill, Campbell Park
Remarkable
Geoffrey, one of the few records I’,m aware of where it was not rushing through
calling or heard in the distance.
You imply it was
rather silent, given that it was feeding and reluctant to move, are we
overlooking this species?
Sent:
Friday, January 21, 2011 11:58 AM
Subject:
[canberrabirds] Channel-bill, Campbell
Park
At 0800 flew over the car-park
with an escort of N Miners. Following the protest calls I located it
in the top of a leafy euc. After a few minutes it flew off, with
attendants, but circled as if reluctant to move anywhere in particular.
>From the buff tipping and lack of eye/eye-patch colour I take this to be an
immature bird. Looks like someone’s prunus had a larger-than-usual
visitor this morning.
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