Some larger than usual flocks

["Philip Veerman" <>]

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!