Intriguing interaction over Gungahlin Pond today between Pelicans and Mudlarks.
Three Pelicans were trying to take off and fly south along the Ginninderra Creek waterbird corridor, presumably to Lake Ginninderra. As soon as they gained any height, two Mudlarks would attack. This resulted in the group of three Pelicans splitting
with one Mudlark harrassing one pelican and one harrassing the other two.
The pelicans went back and landed on the water several times. Each time they tried to fly off they were driven apart and down. Eventually they appeared to decide to put up with the initial attacks and gain height. They gained considerable height so that
I could no longer see the little mudlarks with the naked eye but they were there with the binoculars.
They were driven back at height several times. Whenever the mudlarks split the group they would turn back and try to regroup. I always appeared as if the two Pelicans were reluctant to abandon the other one. Young perhaps?
Anyway all this went on for over half an hour. Eventually the three decided to get away anyway. They climbed to great height but still pursued by the Mudlarks, they winged off south to the next lake. I do not know when the mudlarks gave up but they were
still at it when they moved out of binocular range.
