canberrabirds

Some larger than usual flocks

To: "'COG List'" <>
Subject: Some larger than usual flocks
From: "Philip Veerman" <>
Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:28:48 +1100
Sure, mice are a major food for several raptors but the impact of raptors on mice populations (once they get really abundant) is not that great. The first job I ever had (1979, post university) was doing field work with a group from QIT that were studying the population of mice on the Darling Downs. Lots of predatory birds there. My recollection is their data showed the biggest issues on mice population was food and rainfall (relative to soil type), as soil moisture affected the amount of cracks in the soil that gave sheltered spots for mice to hide and breed.
 
Philip
 
-----Original Message-----
From: martin butterfield [
Sent: Saturday, 22 October 2011 2:58 PM
To: COG List
Subject: [canberrabirds] Some larger than usual flocks

A landholder in this area has reported in the last few days:
  • 32 Australian Shelduck feeding in a lucerne paddock; and
  • 8 Brown Falcons in a 300m square area.  HANZAB suggests that, at this time of year such a group in indicative of a lot of mice or locusts (the latter being more likely).
Given that this area has had a large flock of Black-shouldered Kites present I  expect the number of mice to be reduced in the near future!
<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Admin

The University of NSW School of Computer and Engineering takes no responsibility for the contents of this archive. It is purely a compilation of material sent by many people to the Canberra Ornithologists Group mailing list. It has not been checked for accuracy nor its content verified in any way. If you wish to get material removed from the archive or have other queries about the list contact David McDonald, list manager, phone (02) 6231 8904 or email . If you can not contact David McDonald e-mail Andrew Taylor at this address: andrewt@cse.unsw.EDU.AU