Large gathering at Lake George

[John Harris <>]

Thanks martin,

That they would both be feasting on grasshoppers is a sufficient explanation for why both would be there. The recent rains have caused considerable grass growth on Lake George. I knew it was a notably large flock of Ravens. I definitely saw Australian Ravens flying on Thursday because some  were actually flying between the lake bed and the forest on the hill and some were perched on fences but now that you point out that Little Ravens are more likely to flock, I would have to be more rigorous and say that the more distant flocks may indeed have been Little Ravens and that I simply presumed that they were all Australian Ravens. I will put in a report but I will make a qualificatory note.

I am sure they are still there and will no doubt be tomorrow if anyone wants to check them out. I am not wrong about the NUMBERS of Ravens but I concede that both species may have been present. 

From: "" <m("gmail.com","martinflab");">>
Date: Saturday, 17 January 2015 4:58 pm
To: John Harris <>
Cc: chatline <>
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Large gathering at Lake George

That number of Australian Ravens would be quite extraordinary, whereas for Little Ravens it would be a big, but not unprecedented, flock.  

If the bed of Lake George is anything like our top paddock it would be covered with grasshoppers, which I would presume is the main item on the menu for both species - according to HANZAB at this time of year around 70% of the Raven's diet is invertebrates -  (with a side order of frog for the ibises).

I'd certainly put in a record.

Martin

Martin Butterfield

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

On 17 January 2015 at 16:47, John Harris <> wrote:

Driving past Lake George en route to Sydney on Thursday morning, the sky was thick with Australian Ravens and Straw-necked Ibises. I could not stop but I would estimate 150 Ibises in one flock and 500+ Ravens in several large flocks. This may have been accidental association but the flock of Ibises was definitely intermingled with Ravens and they appeared to be moving together in some way.  

I have just returned and there was a group of at least 100 Ibises feeding on the lake bed at 4.00pm today, Saturday, and also on the ground hundreds of ravens, many with the ibises but many separately in other large groupings.

Is this all a coincidence or is there some association here?

Is this worth an incidental report or is it commonplace?