|
The Rufous Fantail story is a bit more complex. As
mentioned in earlier messages (quite some time ago) from about mid November to
December thunderstorms (rather than just rain) can trigger movement of tall
forest birds into the lower woodlands. Species involved are, apart from the
Rufous Fantail, Golden Whistler, Satin Flycatcher, and Rose Robin (at least
these are the ones I have encountered on such occasions). I suspect those
individuals that come down are non-breeding birds. As far as I can tell,
thunderstorms in January do not have the same effect.
Michael Lenz
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 12:03 PM
Subject: [canberrabirds] Rufous Fantail in Ainslie
Yes
good. Martin's graph is pretty much the same as the one in The GBS Report
(except with extra time detail of being shown by week rather than month). The
timing of these observations is not that odd especially so as this is such a
mild (cool) start to summer. However the bird's annual pattern is an odd
one. It is the only species of all the birds we have, that shows such a strong
two peak annual pattern, as described in the text from The GBS Report as below.
It also tends to be observed associated with rain events. I don't know how this
happens. Richard Allen posted on this some years ago "Riders on the storm" and I
think that idea appears to have stood up pretty well.
Rufous Fantail Rhipidura
rufifrons
This
species is an inhabitant of forest and generally requires dense multi-level
vegetation, though it mostly stays in the shrub and low tree level. It is rather
less conspicuous in its behaviour and less confiding with people than its close
relatives. It is both a north-south and an altitudinal migrant. It comes to our
area for the summer but does not stay in the woodland and suburbs but continues
into the high country. Whilst in transit it can be found in quite
uncharacteristic open habitat, including all suburban areas. It does not stay
long, most records are of just one bird on one week, few records are of birds
staying for more than a few weeks. Few observers would not consider one of these
(most appealing) birds in their area as a highlight. Its monthly pattern is
unique, it shows probably the most extreme form of twin peak pattern of any
species. This shows on individual years? data but is even more marked when all
years are combined. It inhabits the suburbs only whilst in transit. Unlike most
other migrants the duration of migration and numbers of birds is very similar
both before and after January. Absent during winter, rare through summer and
with clear peaks in November and March. Long-term numbers have fluctuated but
appear to be stable.
Graphs on page: 102, Rank:
84, A = 0.00341, F = 8.85%, W = 6.2,
R = 0.324%, G = 1.05.
Philip
Ask and ye shall
receive. In fact, ye shall receive a chart even without
asking!
The attached image shows the sum of Rufous Fantails reported each
Survey week in the GBS over the 30 processed years of the Survey. I didn't
feel that the extra effort of adjusting for different effort per week would
materially affect the overall shape of the chart. The RH red triangle
shows this week (ie Steve's bird) while the other is two weeks earlier
representing Alison's sighting.
The ACT Bird Atlas (p122) comments that
this species moves through towards breeding territories in October - November
and come back starting in February. A pretty good match to the picture
given in the chart.
Martin
On Fri, Dec 16, 2011 at 8:52 AM, Steve Holliday <m("iinet.net.au","pruesteve");
CTRL + Click to follow link"
href="">>
wrote:
Was chatting to Alison Rowell yesterday, she mentioned
she?d seen a Rufous Fantail in Canberra very recently - I think it was at Red
Hill - we both thought it was a rather odd time of year to see one
here.
In a bizarre coincidence one has appeared in our garden
this morning. Our last GBS record was March 2007, a more typical time of the
year for them to appear in the city area.
Steve |
