The issue of “If I interpret the COG database correctly, an increasingly common bird in the past 10 years? Any suggestions for why this increase is occurring?” Has a long history. One of the main
discussions is my article: now 24 years old (1991) ‘The changing status of the Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus in South-east Australia: the role of wild and escaped birds’, Australian Bird Watcher 14: 3–9. (Investigates the range increase.). This
was mainly about being the first paper to document the change in Victoria but was also the first mention of COG’s GBS in formal literature outside the realms of COG publications. As for reasons generally given as the increased availability of nectar producing
vegetation ranging through a wider period of the year, combined with other food sources. The Rainbow Lorikeet is a very domineering bird and very adept at competing with almost everything else.
They have increased drastically in many places. Most notably around Perth from feral stock and around Melbourne where the origins are unclear. Canberra has been much later in this process. Such that
the GBS Report discussion on this is now outdated and strongly highlights the need to update The GBS Report.
Philip
From: Roy & Pastor Mijina McDowall [
Sent: Monday, 20 July 2015 7:41 PM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Rainbow Lorikeets, Common Bronzewing, Mistletoebird
Dear list, a few observations (and non-observations) for those interested:
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater a no-show at Red Hill Restaurant today, has been a regular for the past few weeks, operating from a mature cluster of Rosemary Grevillea(?) at the bottom of the restaurant car park, facing the Brindabellas. My previous
and last observation was 16th July.
On 16th July a couple of bedraggled Rainbow Lorikeets at Red Hill, relatively close to La Perouse/Mugga Way intersection. If I interpret the COG database correctly, an increasingly common bird in the past 10 years? Any suggestions for why
this increase is occurring?
Today on Red Hill a couple of Common Bronzewing at southern end of the reserve.
Yesterday on Oakey Hill a male Mistletoebird, 10 metres away from the information board close to Quamby Place.
Kind regards and blessings, Roy.
