canberrabirds

NVC

To: "'Geoffrey Dabb'" <>, <>
Subject: NVC
From: "Philip Veerman" <>
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 13:54:02 +1100
I have at various times been surprised or marvelled at people writing in to birding-aus at putting the Lewin’s Rail on their list because of having heard one. I assume they are sufficiently familiar with the sound and that it is distinctive. Maybe impressive that someone gets to be so confident with picking the sound of such a well hidden creature, unless the sound is really obvious. Is it? I went 2 or 3 times and watched the individual that appeared at Commonwealth Park a few years ago and happily foraged on the lawn beside a busy pathway as did I guess many of us (the only one of the species I've seen) but I don't recall it making any noises.
 
Philip
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Geoffrey Dabb [
Sent: Tuesday, 28 January 2014 1:07 PM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] NVC

The corner of the pond near the building has become a reliable spot for close views of the now rather common Spotted Crake, although it is likely to be part-obscured, as below.  That will probably change as the water recedes.  You are more likely to be attracted to this occasionally fashionable venue by the prospect of seeing the Lewin’s Rail.  In two recent visits I have only had one view of the little chap of a few seconds.  It was on the north-west corner of the island and quickly disappeared into the tussocks.  More than other crakes/rails, this species seems to have the habit of staying in dense cover for long periods.  An exception, of course, was the individual that appeared at Commonwealth Park a few years ago and happily foraged on the lawn beside a busy pathway.  I have now seen the Lewins at 3 widely separated sites in the ACT, so it is certainly one of ‘our birds’ although probably of only occasional occurrence, depending on conditions.  You will remember it was reported at the visitor centre a year or so ago, and no doubt there is a reason for its repeated appearance there.         

 

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