Fwd: Apostlebird at North Watson Wetlands

[Martin Butterfield <>]

We have found over the years of driving (roughly annually) from Canberra through Ouyen to Adelaide that sometimes Apostlebirds were common on the roadsides in the Mallee and other trip we wouldn't see one.  We couldn't come up with an explanation for this variation.

This years long trip was to Atherton.  After crossing into Queensland - North of Lightning Ridge - we noticed masses of Apostlebirds beside the road.  Just South of St George I estimated we passed at least least 10 groups of 10+ birds in about 5km.  On the return trip we travelled one road to the East and again noticed many of this species just North of Goondiwindi (roughly the same latitude).

We did notice that there was lots of standing water beside the road.  I wonder if they have had a very good breeding year in their home territory and have irrupted?

Looking at eBird there are several recent sightiings in the Grenfell area (as well as Tony's) but the closest records I can see are from Cootamundra.

Martin

Martin Butterfield

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

On 29 September 2016 at 12:09, Wayne Gregson <> wrote:

Interesting observation. On recent trips to Qld I have seen the first Apostlebirds closer to Canberra than ever before – between Booroowa and Cowra.  This might just be one off or could it mean their range is spreading towards the ACT?

 

 

 

From:

Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 9:56 AM

To:

Subject: [canberrabirds] Fwd: Apostlebird at North Watson Wetlands

 

For info, Tony has included two good photos.
This species is classified as a non-breeding vagrant in the ACT.
David

-------- Forwarded Message --------

Subject:	[eBird Alert] Australian Capital Territory Rare Bird Alert <daily>
Date:	Wed, 28 Sep 2016 12:02:38 -0400 (EDT)
From:

*** Species Summary:

- Apostlebird (1 report)

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Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Australian Capital Territory Rare Bird Alert.The report below shows observations of rare birds in Australian Capital Territory.  View or unsubscribe to this alert at http://ebird.org/ebird/alert/summary?sid=SN38762
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated

Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Sep 28, 2016 16:45 by Tony Nairn
- North Watson Wetlands, Australian Capital Territory
- Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=-35.23228,149.15628&ll=-35.23228,149.15628
- Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31792015
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Spotted this bird on the nature strip of my neighbour's house. I first noted the shape and very long tail and wondered what it was as it didn't immediately match the birds I am used to seeing at home.  With a closer look I identified it as an Apostlebird - having seen these previously in Dubbo. It was scratching in the grass and a pile of garden mulch, then hopped across the road and continued.  About the length of a Red Wattlebird but slightly stockier and the tail is longer and a bit flared towards the end.  Mostly dark grey in colour with lighter and darker mottled appearance.  Some mid brown on the wings. Tail dark.  Narrow black mask across eyes.  Short thick dark bill."

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