TF Musings

[Martin Butterfield <>]

One benefit of roosting 25m from our house is that our pair have a very ready ource of food when the swift moths are attracted to our lights in the evening.  The mown grass in our lawn will also make it easier for them to catch reptiles.  As they have hatched two chicks for the past 7 years and only had one chick not to survive to independence for 6 of those years (the 7th year is not at that stage yet) I suspect we might alos provide a level of protection by keeping potential nest predators at bay.

I can't think of any costs to them.

Martin

Martin Butterfield

http://franmart.blogspot.com.au/

On 22 October 2014 11:51, Stuart Rae <> wrote:

1) This is likely the same pair who have come back to roost at this
site after failing in their first breeding attempt for this year. They
might build a second nest and relay. I can check on their ID but don't
have their photo files with me at the moment.

2) I am currently measuring the proximity of tawny frogmouth roost and
nest sites to human pathways/urban development and the birds'
reactions to human approach. They do seem to become habituated, but at
what cost/benefit?

3) So, I am also assessing any costs or benefits to the birds by
roosting or nesting close to human activity, especially in relation to
breeding success.

Thank you for your interest Robin,

Stuart

On 21 October 2014 09:19, Robin Eckermann <> wrote:

> A pair of Tawny Frogmouths was sitting on a well-known roosting spot on the
> path up to Mt. Ainslie from the War Memorial this morning - after a long
> absence. They sit within about 3m of a path that is frequented from pre-dawn
> until well after dark - with multiple people (and dogs) passing by every
> minute during busy times. Over the past five or so years a pair has used
> this spot most years, typically for several months at a time before they
> disappear.
>
> This prompts me to wonder:
>
> 1. Is this the same pair coming back to a highly favoured roosting spot that
> they've used over many years?
>
> 2. Is this a new pair that has just discovered the spot and has yet to learn
> the extent of human proximity ... and when they do, they will give up on the
> spot after a few days/weeks/months?
>
> 3. Is there some subtle and maybe counter-intuitive reason why human
> proximity makes for a good roosting spot - like reduced daytime harrassment
> from other birds for example?
>
> I'm sure there are lots of other theories - maybe someone who knows these
> things much better than I will be able to shed some light on TF behaviour.
>
> Robin Eckermann

--
Stuart Rae


http://sites.stuartrae.com
http://stuartrae.blogspot.com
http://bymyey.blogspot.com

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