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Martin's comment on our depauperate aquifauna reminds me of the view that I had previously sort of half-formed - that the ACT's managed waterbodies are significant as drought refuges. With extensive flooding elsewhere, the complementary may also be the case
- our waterfowl disappear to take advantage of newly-inundated (and presumably highly productive) aquatic environments.
regards
Con
On 9/21/2016 1:00 PM, Martin Butterfield wrote:
I have added the following to the trips page on the COG website. The editors of Gang-gang may wish to use it for the official record.
7, possibly deranged, members met at the appointed time and place in light rain. One of the early arrivals noted that she had mainly come to see if the walk was, as promised, going ahead regardless of the
weather!
The first notable sight was a large (conservatively estimated at 100 birds) flock of Tree Martins hawking over the pond and surrounding lawns. A few (~15) Welcome Swallows were mixed in with them.
As we started our circuit 2 Mallard hybrids were noted (and three more seen later). 2 Black Swans were on or next to a nest on an island. This was our only breeding record for the day. Other waterfowl were very
sparse as seems to be the case for most local water bodies at present.
The highlight of the outing was 5 Latham's Snipe flying out of the tussocks at the Northern end of the pond, flying to a small island in the middle of the pond.
In total we recorded 33 good species plus the hybrid. A <a href="" moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31682211" target="_blank">http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31682211">full
list</a> can be found on eBird.
The heavy rain only stared when we got nearly to the cars. While one observer's notebook started to dissolve, the sign on sheet remained intact. The waterproof cover on my phone showed its worth, allowing me to
use the app throughout.
I have added to the COG website advice that the October WW on 19 October will be to Mulligans Flat. NOTE that, to save distance, we will be meeting
at the end of Eric Wright St and not the formal carpark.
The editors of Gang-gang may wish to include that as a forthcoming walk.
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