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Hi
Rod,
You
asked Are Grey Butcherbirds frequent visitors to
Canberra gardens? Obviously this question is answered in The GBS
Report, of which you have a copy. However I would also indicate that the
species has significantly increased its abundance and prevalence in Canberra gardens since The GBS Report was published. This
trend is shown from the COG ABR since then. Unfortunately though, with no update
of The GBS Report available or likely, that is about it for published cohesive
information to address your question. Not surprisingly and I think I have
mentioned this before, the book Birds In Canberra Gardens V2 does not display
the intelligence to provide any mention of this
information. This has all been written before on this chat line in
the last year or so. The change is in itself curious, as the species is a
common urban bird elsewhere. I think it has just taken time for it to learn to
adapt locally.
Philip
Removal of our 40 year old back fence unearthed
some rich pickings for the local birds, notably Magpies and Currawongs.
But I was surprised when a Grey Butcherbird suddenly arrived to join in the
smorgasbord. There has been one calling on and off in the distance for the
last couple of months but this is the first time I've seen it, let alone
had a visit. At one stage it flew off and landed on the side fence where
it managed to duck just in time as a Currawong which obviously took exception to
its presence attacked it. Are Grey Butcherbirds frequent visitors to
Canberra gardens?
Last Wednesday while walking up Oakey
Hill following the rain there were hundreds of worms on the bitumen.
I thought it strange no birds were taking advantage of the abundance and
getting an easy feed. However on the return journey there were 4 Magpies,
2 Currawongs and 2 Kookaburras all doing just that. Smart
birds!
Cheers
Rod
Rod Mackay
Rod's Garden Maintenance
Tel. 0407 456 330
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