Noisy Friarbirds

[Michael Lenz <>]

Thanks for the various interesting comments on numbers of Noisy Friarbirds (NF).

Early in the season, indications were that NFs were not going to be common, based on the low numbers I had from roost flight counts (about 25% of the numbers of the previous season). The now more widespread appearance is a rather late phenomenon, I think, possibly drought related. Many areas in Canberra are still relatively better off than many other regions, hence an influx of NFs to our area (?).

North Lyneham Ridge normally has 1 to 3  breeding pairs of NF, this year none, except only recently 1 pair appeared. Two pairs of Leaden Flycatchers had taken up residence, but left again, possible because there were at the time no nesting NFs around.

Yesterday at Mt Ainslie the association of Leaden Flycatchers with NFs was again very evident.

Another species that is this year more common than in previous years is the Sacred Kingfisher, I suspect for similar reasons as for the NF.

But overall, conditions are not good. For example, it has taken a very long time for just a few pairs out of the many White-browed Woodswallows that have appeared and stayed in our area, to actually breed. Lyneham Ridge has still a good number of Red Wattlebirds, but hardly any have produced young. No doubt there other similar stories elsewhere.

Michael Lenz