Stone-curlews at Mulligans Flat

[Jim & Anne O'Connor <>]

As caravansers who over wintered in Qld in recent years I am quite used to seeing them in caravan parks where they often occupy the narrow strips between van sites. They tend to roam about at night and will give a warning hissing sound and one will make threatening gestures if a person approaches their chicks and the other bird which stays closer to the chicks.

Jim

Sent from my iPad

On 4 Apr 2016, at 11:40 AM, Con Boekel <> wrote:

Hi David
The only ones I have seen in the wild were in the works depot of the Botanic Gardens in Brisbane and the Cairns Cemetery! The latter were obviously very well-habituated to humans of all conditions!
Apart from that I really know almost nothing about their behaviour.
My view is essentially formed by both my general ignorance and the precautionary principle.
regards
Con

On 4/04/2016 11:09 AM, David Rees wrote:

Con

I for one would leave them be if I came across them in MF.  Mind you, in my interactions with this species I have yet to see one fly on approach, even close approach, all the ones I have dealt with have either done a stately slow walk away and/or then just sit down.  For those who have not seen it  - a film by me of a typical experience of this bird  https://vimeo.com/74555572

No, for best 'effect' you just need some young kid out for a walk to run among the 'birdies'. Hence my comment about public education, not just bird watchers.

David

On Mon, Apr 4, 2016 at 10:14 AM, Con Boekel <m("boekel.com.au","con");" target="_blank">> wrote:

Hi everyone


Just thinking about the Stone Curlews, one problem seems to be that we can keep the foxes out but we can't keep the Stone Curlews in.

But Stone Curlews are essentially very terrestrial. They tend to stay on the ground 24/7 unless motivated to take off. So the fence stops them walking out.

But if they fly out, the fence also stops them walking back in, assuming the foxes do not get them first.

If they have to fly, the least risky flight option for them is to do it at night when aerial predators can't have a crack at them.

>From my perspective, the people who are least likely to cause them to fly are the people using the tracks and trails for jogging and cycling and the like. They don't deviate from their course and they don't look like they are hunting. They don't stop and stare at the Stone Curlews because they don't see them. And they don't approach the Stone Curlews more closely for a better look or a better pic.

So the Stone Curlews can observe them running past without feeling that they are being stalked. There is no need to fly.

It seems to me that the people who are most likely to cause them to fly are people like me who have a targetted interest in recording Stone Curlew or in taking Stone Curlew pics.

One problem is that I don't know how close I could get before the birds fly off in fear.

I reckon that it is better to be sure here.

Until the initial and risky phase of the translocation has run its course, we should put the Stone Curlews first and leave them to it.


The other day I walked around Mullies Big Dam and spotted in the mud the cute fresh tracks of the furry little ones who are thriving at Mullies thanks to the enormous efforts of their human mates.

It was a wonderful feeling, and one day in the next couple of years or so I hope to hear the thrilling night calls of the Stone Curlews.

In the meanwhile for me there is a huge amount of satisfaction just in knowing that the Stone Curlews are there.


regards

Con

On 4/04/2016 9:44 AM, David Rees wrote:

Chris

Fair comment, however MF is used increasingly by locals for jogging and bike riding etc.etc. Bird watchers represent a minority of park users. 

Bush Stone Curlews are quite able to live with people plus unrestrained domestic dogs and cats as a trip to coastal Queensland will clearly confirm. Foxes are another matter though.

David

On Sun, Apr 3, 2016 at 8:23 PM, Chris Davey <m("aapt.net.au","chris_davey");" target="_blank">m("aapt.net.au","chris_davey");">> wrote:

Hi,

 

Recently there have been sightings and excellent photos taken of Bush Stone-curlew at Mulligans Flat. This information has been of great value in allowing us to get a better handle on the number of birds in the area. At this time of the year the birds tend to flock up into social groups and this is what appears to be happening.

 

The greatest danger at present to the successful reintroduction of the Stone-curlew into Mulligans Flat is any disturbance that will make birds fly especially during the daytime. At the moment the greatest concern is that they will be preyed on by avian predators, in particular Wedge-tailed Eagles and Brown Goshawks or fly out of the Sanctuary.

 

We realise that the Curlews are going to have to get used to being disturbed but at this critical stage in their reintroduction we urge observers to keep a safe distance and in particular make sure that the birds do not fly.

 

Chris