Skinks as a food resource in winter

[Damian Lettoof <>]

Hey Steve,

Sorry for the late reply (been enjoying Perth). The skinks are a Lamropholis species I'm yet see which is the dominant species in Canberra. They certainly are active over the winter of their habitat is open enough to allow basking. At such a small size they do not need much sun to reach their optimal body temp ~28-32 degrees (I'm a herpetologist recently become birder). 

This is interesting if you've notice certain bird species switch to a skink diet over winter. What would they be eating during the warmer months as small reptile activity is certainly higher then as well?

Cheers,

Damian

- sent from iPhone

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From: Wallaces <>
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2017 1:04:37 PM
To: Canberra birds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Skinks as a food resource in winter

 

Observations in the last couple of days of two bird species feeding on skinks made me wonder how important these lizards are as a winter food source. Both birds I observed appeared to be foraging by looking for movement of the skinks, which implies that the skinks are moving around during winter. It may be just that recent days have been warm but the air temperature at the time of the observation in both cases was under 10 degrees.

 

I would be interested in any recent or past observations of skinks as a winter food source in the ACT.

 

Attached is a picture of the two species with the skinks.

 

Steve