OK - sorry, didn’t take the question seriously. Before where have they gone: what is the reason for recent roosting aggregations of SNIs in Callum Brae, and even more at Mulligans? HANZAB draws attention to annual migration patterns following food and says that not all ibis breed each year. There are numbers of juveniles/immatures. The large aggregations indicate food availability here. The main nesting is in colonies further down the Murray/Murrumbidgee and in Victoria. Does the sudden absence of the Callum Brae roost indicate they have moved there to nest?
I would say ‘unlikely’. It is getting late for nesting to be initiated. Moreover, breeding birds would be in full breeding plumage and probably engaging in some display. Therefore, I would think the roosting flocks are of birds not nesting this season, and their movements are determined by food availability. Perhaps they have left the district, perhaps not. That is only my explanation. I may be wrong. Then again, perhaps some have gone to nest, and others are just following food, or they might all be back tomorrow.
From: Margaret Leggoe [
Sent: Tuesday, 5 November 2013 4:14 PM
To: 'Geoffrey Dabb'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Conspicuous by their absence
Well not at that hour of the day. They have a habit of remaining on their roost and preening a lot until 30-45 minutes after sunrise. I was there at sunrise.
From: Geoffrey Dabb [m("iinet.net.au","gdabb");">]
Sent: Tuesday, 5 November 2013 1:25 PM
To: 'Margaret Leggoe'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Conspicuous by their absence
Like feeding?
From: Margaret Leggoe [m("gmail.com","m.leggoe7141");">]
Sent: Tuesday, 5 November 2013 1:03 PM
To: 'Geoffrey Dabb'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Conspicuous by their absence
Since there are no breeding records in the ACT, I surmise their disappearance may be due to them moving elsewhere for more important activities than just roosting.
From: Geoffrey Dabb [m("iinet.net.au","gdabb");">]
Sent: Tuesday, 5 November 2013 12:41 PM
To: 'Margaret Leggoe'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Conspicuous by their absence
Breed or roost?
This morning at sunrise on Callum Brae, there were no straw-necked ibis roosting near zoo corner. There were no other cars at the Narrabundah Lane gate, so I doubt they were frightened off earlier than their usual “fly-off” time. Perhaps they have gone somewhere outside the ACT to breed? Or does someone else have a better explanation. They were certainly there on 31 October.
Margaret Leggoe
