Hi Matthew and Stephanie
This is great, I've always looked out for monitors on Ainslie-Majura and
never managed to find one. I think sightings are quite rare in the ACT and
even more unusual near the city. There may be someone recording sightings
who would be interested in your report, I will ask around and let you know.
Regards
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: Stephanie Haygarth
Sent: Sunday, 6 October 2013 5:36 PM
To:
Subject: Frogmouths and monitors
Today we visited several frogmouth nests on Mt Ainslie (west side) that
we've been watching for some time. Sadly, at one, the nest was unoccupied -
the male had gone. While there we heard a rustling down the slope and found
what we've identified as a Rosenberg's Monitor. Judging by its length it
was almost full grown. This is the first RM that we've seen here and it was
exciting. Though these goannas are said to be more terrestrial than the
tree-climbing Lace Monitor, it is tempting to think that maybe the monitor
attacked the nest, driving off the male and taking the eggs - though we
could find no eggshell on the ground underneath. There could be various
other causes of the nest abandonment, of course. It was noticeable that the
monitor held its ground and did not move away during our time there.
Cheers
Matthew and Stephanie
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