Things seem to be changing quickly regarding Noisy Miners in some parts. I reported what an interesting place ‘Nursery Corner’ is a couple of months ago with so many different interesting bush species around and breeding. I’ve been going to that patch for six years now and saw my first Miners there early this year, one miner inside the patch and two nesting just outside at different times.
But yesterday I was shocked to see Noisy Miners everywhere – that had taken over the whole patch and surrounds. I counted 36 departing two trees, but believe there could have been up to 60 in the area. It was quite amazing, I’ve never seen so many.
The only other birds there were rosellas, magpies, two starlings, four Crested Pigeons in a dead tree a bit out of the way, and two Grey Butcherbirds feeding. Not a single small bird, not even a Willie or a Grey Fantail. The grass that had supported the finches now had Noisy Miners rustling through it, something else I’ve not seen before (Miners in long grass).
Perhaps the effect was heightened by time of day (lunchtime) and season, and it may be temporary, but still this represents something quite new. I think Geoffrey Dabb reported not having seem miners there in past years and he’s been visiting the area for much longer than 6 years.
Julian
www.flickr.com/photos/ozjulian/
