Yes, this is a typical mover-through. I wonder if we can be always absolutely sure the call IS a GBbd, in view of the possibility of a mimicking bowerbird. The call seems to invite mimicry, and I’ve got a few of the latter moving through now but revealing their presence with a typical “spk-SCHERRL-sprzzt”, with the SCHERRL being a rich throaty whistle. I wonder if Philip has ever had SBowbds mimicking GButbds. Perhaps not the mimicking season, though.
Have confidence. No need to doubt this. Not unusual although it was less common in past years. GBS records show them to have been increasing in Canberra over the years. The GBS Report shows this. Even to my surprise, with more recent data, BOCG V2 doesn't say anything about an increase (or change) in numbers - only the obvious, that it is less common than Magpies etc!
-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Beatty m("grapevine.com.au]","sbeatty");">[
Sent: Friday, 10 February 2012 8:42 AM
To: 'COG List'
Subject: [canberrabirds] Butcherbird in Holder
Hey All,
A Grey? Butcherbird just passed through my GBS area! I don’t think I’ve seen one here before. I only got a quick look at it and would say it was probably an immature, but that cackly call is hard to miss. Is this unusual or are they all over the place and I just haven’t been paying attention?
Sue Beatty
Holder
