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I emailed the RSPCA yesterday to ask what they had seen when the tree was lopped (and send them my information on the Hobbies use of the tree this year) - this (copied to COG with
her permission) is Natasha Ackland's useful reply...
Robin Hide
Dear Robin.
I was present yesterday when the top of the tree in Corroboree Park was
removed. I inspected the Hobby nest both up in the crown prior to any trimming being undertaken and after it fell. When I was on the way up to the nest the first time there were wattlebirds sitting next to the nest without fear so I expect the hobbies hadn’t
been there too recently.
Thanks for your attachment, it has some lovely photos included. If the Hobbies did indeed hatch in that
nest this year their young have fledged, as have the majority of smaller Raptors in the Canberra area. There was no evidence of recent usage, perhaps the recent very hot
and dry weather has dried the nest more than usual leading to it looking like it has been unused for a longer period. My mistake, sorry. The nest contained much old fur matter and droppings dried well and truly to dust. There was no sign of egg fragments at
all.
I saw one Hobby or Falcon in the area yesterday afternoon, coasting very high above in a straight line
northwards and not observing the park at all.
I did remove two nestling gang gangs prior to trimming. The hope was to replace them after the crown
was removed but their nesting hollow was quite shallow and without the crown was very exposed to predators and the elements so as a welfare regard they were placed in foster care. They will be released back in the area when independent. The parents did continue
to attend the nest for the day and I would expect them to fret for several days as they would in the event of losing their young to a predator or other natural manner. They will be the best ones to decide whether they re-use that hollow and lay again in it
or if they find a new site.
Natasha
Ackland
Manager, Wildlife Services
RSPCA ACT
PO BOX 3082
WESTON CREEK ACT 2611
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Geoffrey Dabb wrote:
The hobbies might have completed. There was a nest in a pine at the NE corner of the Duntroon playing fields that you could watch while queued at one
of Canberra’s most irritating intersections – the lights at Fairbairn Ave and Morshead Dve. Young from that fledged during last week.
From: Robin
Hide [m("anu.edu.au","robin.hide");">m("anu.edu.au","robin.hide");">]
Sent: Tuesday, 22 December 2009 7:39 AM
To: COG line
Cc: Vivien; Peter Ormay
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Hobby nest in Corroboree Park under threat
The Park authorities etc etc were all aware that there at least two nests were being used in the tree- Hobbies high in an old Ravens nest, and Gang Gangs
below.
Apparently yesterdays crew found that the Hobbies nest was empty.
I've been told by several sources that two Gang Gang chicks were taken to the RSPCA.
At 7 am this morning the Gang Gang adult pair were on/around the stump, calling strongly and attempting to drive away SC Cockatoos.
No sign of the Hobbies this morning as yet. (Ive been told by a neighbour that they saw them yesterday morning before the lopping).
Robin Hide
Vivien wrote:
According to the ABC news a nest was taken to the RSPCA, which would indicate there were chicks in it.
So the search was not very good. I am presuming it was belonging to the Gang Gang who was looking very unhappy on the news.
Viv
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