Red Wattlebird migration

[Martin Butterfield via Canberrabirds <>]

Judging by the behaviour of the Red Wattlebirds around Mallacoota there is a very different style of flight when migrating and when snuffling around looking for food resources.  In the latter case the flights tend to be in random directions and rather relaxed (or as relaxed as Red Wattlebirds ever get).  When migrating there are several birds - usually 10 -20, but up to 50, flying with purpose in one direction.  

There also seem to be a small number of flight paths used for migration (is Airservices Australia in charge of this?) so if they are flying up Mullet Creek they are probably hunting food while if going along the shore of Bottom Lake to the Narrows they might be migrating.

Martin Butterfield

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

https://mallacootaweatherwildlife.blogspot.com/

On Sat, 6 Feb 2021 at 14:59, Con <> wrote:

Ryu

There seems to be two sets of Red Wattlebirds on Black Mountain ATM. The first set consists of family groups which contain begging young. The second set was much the larger and seemed to consist of a large but spread out feeding flock. This flock also contained numbers of Noisy Friarbrids. I assume the latter flock would move around as a flock seeking local food concentrations. They may also start migrating. I don't know.

kind regards

Con

On 2/6/2021 2:42 PM, Ryu Callaway via Canberrabirds wrote:

Had a flock of 10 wattlebirds at Pine Island seemingly migrating. Seems earlier than usual.

Ryu

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