Forde Creek Update

[John Harris <>]

Hi All

 Julie and I are a well on the way to completing our paper on the development of Buff-banded Rail chicks which Michael Lenz has encouraged us to write for CBN. The article is based on the second of the three Forde Creek broods. While I saw them and noted their development on a number of occasions, Julie was very assiduous and managed to photograph them almost every day for 7 weeks. Our paper is based on Julie’s careful observations and excellent photographic record. It is already evident that Julie has made a real contribution to our understanding of BB Rail development. To give just one example, the literature, including HANZAB, repeats the observation that BBRails reach adult size at 3 weeks.  Our literature research reveals a single source for this, some chicks hand raised in New Zealand in about 1983.  The Forde Creek BB Rail chicks did not reach adult size until about the 42nd day – ie 6 weeks.  Julie’s photographs totally validate our naked-eye observations on this matter. We will also be able to comment on stages in the deveopment of juvenile feathers and on some aspects of behaviour.

From: Philip Veerman <>
Date: Wednesday, 25 February 2015 11:07 am
To: 'Julie Clark' <>
Cc: 'Michael Lenz' <>, 'Bill & Raelene' <m("grapevine.com.au","graham.br63");">>, 'Wallaces' <m("bigpond.net.au","skcbf");">>, John Harris <>
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Forde Creek Update

Crazy or not, who knows, but it sure is nice to know. Worth writing up in CBN once a bit more outcome is known........

 

Irrelevant but my most recent sighting of the species was last month at an informal rubbish dump beside a road in a bush area called Timberland reserve on the outskirts of Manila, Philippines.

 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Julie Clark
Sent: Wednesday, 25 February 2015 10:14 AM
To: COG Chatline
Cc: Michael Lenz; Bill & Raelene; Wallaces; John Harris
Subject: [canberrabirds] Forde Creek Update

Hi All,

As crazy as it sounds, Forde Creek is now the home of a third brood of Buff-banded Rail chicks for this season!

I sighted 2 adults over a week ago and then 6 little fluff balls appeared, scurrying in all directions to reach the cover of dense vegetation.

I managed a second sighting yesterday ... definitely seeing 3 chicks, but suspect there were more moving in and out of the vegetation.... 2 adults present.

I think it's possible, due to the location,  that these are the same parents of the first brood that was seen once before Christmas and not (to my knowledge) seen again.

For those interested ... photos of both sightings attached.

Cheers

Julie

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 Buff-banded Rail - 3rd Brood - Forde Creek

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Julie Clark