The bird was still there at 2:52 pm this afternoon not far from the wetland. As others have commented it is very tame. Two people were photographing it when
I arrived.
I did try for it briefly at 9:30 this morning and think I heard it in one of the
Eucalyptus cinerea on the side of the pond but couldn’t find it – I was on my way to an appointment so really didn’t have too much time to search for it. The damned dog (I assume it was Jethro) started driving me crazy as it followed me everywhere, darting
around my feet. Some people don’t deserve to own pets if they can’t be responsible with them.
mark
From: Geoff [
Sent: Thursday, 6 October 2016 1:18 PM
To: 'COG Chatline'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Apostlebird still at Watson [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]
I saw it this morning and a local dog called Jethro did not frighten it other than for it to fly into a tree.
Geoff McVeigh
From: Perkins, Harvey
Sent: Thursday, 6 October 2016 11:57 AM
To: 'COG Chatline' <>
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Apostlebird still at Watson [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]
Ditto – I went yesterday evening after work (18:20) and it was immediately obvious on the grassed nature strip outside No. 17 (thanks Steve). Wherever it has
come from it is extraordinarily human-habituated! I could approach it to within a metre or so no problem with my phone held out in front and very much ‘in its face’.
Is there anywhere local that keeps Apostlebirds?
Harvey
Dr Harvey Perkins
CRC Programme Operations
AusIndustry – Business Services
Phone +61 2 6213 7472
Internet:
business.gov.au
From: Steve Read
Sent: Thursday, 6 October 2016 11:51 AM
To: 'COG Chatline' <>
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Apostlebird still at Watson
The Apostlebird was equally confiding this morning, although outnumbered by the Coots at the Watson Wetlands (there were two Coots).
Good numbers of both Rufous Whistlers and Golden Whistlers subsequently on Mt Majura.
Steve
From: Megan Mears
Sent: Thursday, 6 October 2016 8:27 AM
To: Wallaces <>; COG Chatline <m("canberrabirds.org.au","canberrabirds");">>
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Apostlebird still at Watson
I enjoyed good views of this rarity twice yesterday. The second time it was in extremely close proximity with a toddler and his mum at the edge of the pond, who said it had been hanging around for 40 mins (waiting to capture a few crumbs).
They thought it might be someone's escaped pet as it was so trusting around people.
I am not sure how it will survive local dangers such as dogs, cats and traffic.
On Wednesday, October 5, 2016, Wallaces <> wrote:
The Watson Apostlebird survived yesterday’s weather. This morning it spent most of the time I was watching it in the gardens of number 17 and the house next door eating grass seeds
and dried worms that had not made it across the paths.
Steve
