Rufous fantail locations.

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Hi Mat,

 

Extracts from The GBS Report as below:

 

The other major pattern is that of the altitudinal migrants. They spend the summer in the close-by high country and the winter in the less harsh mid-altitudes around Canberra. Many of these are honeyeaters and they require a source of nectar for feeding. As they (mostly) do not breed in winter, their food and privacy requirements are less important than for the locally breeding species. Therefore many forest species spend the whole winter in suburbs. Provided they have densely vegetated habitat and a lot of winter flowering shrubs, they will do quite well during their stay here. Provision of these conditions within the suburbs is important. For some species, including Crescent Honeyeater, Rose Robin and Satin Bowerbird, the suburbs would seem to be an odd habitat for them. These habitats are also available in all the larger reserves of Canberra Nature Park. Urban parks generally contain eucalypts and grass but not much dense understorey. Most of these species do not show a peak month dip in numbers (as do summer migrants), so apparently Canberra supplies their winter habitat requirements. A few species do show a peak month dip in numbers, the ones where there is enough evidence to show this are the Rose Robin, Golden Whistler and Grey Currawong. Probably a significant part of the population of these three species continues to lower altitudes beyond Canberra. Some species appear to combine both north-south migration and altitudinal migration, these include the Rufous Fantail and Satin Flycatcher. They migrate here in spring then continue into the high country for summer, then come back through in autumn. Some species, such as the Rufous Fantail, pass through unexpected habitat during migration and are equally likely to turn up anywhere in the suburbs.

 

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.

 

You were probably trying too early in the year "recently" at the Victorian coast. In the ACT basically commonest in forest but can turn up almost anywhere. Likely easy spots are the rainforest gully at ANBG. In the suburbs over the next two months there will likely be reports from people saying they have one in the garden or nearby but usually not for more than one or two days. I (last) watched one just where that path starts, at the ANBG main entry between the bus shelter and the cafe. They are likely to stay there longer. 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----From: pardalote [ Sent: Wednesday, 17 October 2012 9:54 PM      To:       Subject: [canberrabirds] Rufous fantail locations.

Hi All

I
was wondering if anyone might know where and when I might be able to find some
rufous fantails in Canberra. I have looked all over the Victorian coast
recently, and did not see one.  I am aware that they pass through Canberra,
but I am unsure where or when.  Would somebody be able to point me in the
right direction?

Matt.