Not shovelling, whistling (2)

[Denis Wilson <>]

I remember well the PWD at Jerrabomberra Creek, from about 10 years ago which was "emotionally attached" to Black Swans. So I can support Philip's memory there.

But surely Plumed Whistle Ducks are one of those species famous for population irruptions.
.
Canberra is a long way from the dry inland, but enough COG members have travelled to the Darling River, and further afield, and have reported back to this forum, to establish that there has been a huge population explosion of many species of birds following the breaking of the drought in the Murray Darling Basin. That is more than 2 years ago, by my memory (without checking the detailed Bureau figures). Budgerigahs, Pigeons, Ducks all sorts of things have been going "gang-busters". Most recently, the Barn Owls have featured on this forum. Another classic case.
Rain in the wheat belt >> mouse plague >> Barn Owl population explosion.

So, Geoffrey's photo of 28 birds do not surprise me one bit (nice photo, though. Geoffrey.)

I see no need to posit human intervention what-so-ever. Indeed, the likelihood of a sudden release of 28 birds stretches credulity, I think. But that's just an amateur opinion.

I anticipate the COG chatline getting excited about Black-tailed Nativehens any week now.


Cheers

Denis Wilson

 I know we had an oddly behaving PWD around Kingston several years ago and that bird certainly behaved like it could be a tame bird released. Those who watched it may recall that it "forlornly" associated with Black Swans. We also had an I think Egyptian Goose on LBG a few years ago.

 

Philip

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoffrey Dabb [
Sent: Tuesday, 18 October 2011 7:26 AM
To:
Subject: FW: [canberrabirds] Not shovelling, whistling (2)

I might have mentioned that this embryonic wetland already has quite a population of waterfowl, including a large crèche of wood ducklings.  They must know what it’s there for, like it’s not for water polo.  As they said in Field of Dreams (1989), “If you build it, they will come”.  (Now included in the AFI’s 100 best-known film quotes.  [Usually misquoted, it was really, “If you build it, he  will come”. ])

 

Last evening the notorious lone guineafowl of the Ainslie/Dickson borderlands also put in an appearance.  This is a well-known “Should I tick it?” bird.

 

Yes, Graeme, we should consider the possibility that the PWDs are the work of the Phantom Backyard Duck-breeder, but the numbers are inconsistent with his or her past methods.  Perhaps he or she has gone to a new level.

 

From: Geoffrey Dabb [
Sent: Monday, 17 October 2011 8:45 PM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Not shovelling, whistling (2)

 

I make it 28

 

 

-- 
Denis Wilson
"The Nature of Robertson"
www.peonyden.blogspot.com