Maryanne, from reports to me there are still a few adults around (including Michael Robbins just now), or have only recently gone, so if it is an
adult there is still probably time to release it soon.
There have been so many late reports of fledglings in March, and even before the recent very significant rain event I had been concerned about how
safely they might make the journey north.
I thought the rain had moved all my Koel fledglings on but yesterday afternoon I twice found a very long-tailed large but still begging juvenile
in my neighbour’s garden. While watching it on the wires the second time, another juvenile flew past it, but it wasn’t calling and I couldn’t then locate it. I have also heard one begging nearly all morning.
I last saw the nestling which fledged on Thursday 18 March around lunchtime on Sunday looking rather small, wet and bedraggled. I haven’t been able
to find it since, it certainly wasn’t mature enough to head up north yet.
So if it is a fledgling it would depend on how advanced it is, recent rain event aside in previous seasons the last have often left in the first
week of April.
I trust this is helpful.
Jack Holland
PS if it is a fledgling/juvenile, I would be very grateful if you could provide the date and place where it was picked up, so I can consider whether
or not to add it to my list (currently at 286) of new fledglings for this season.
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of Philip Veerman
Sent: Thursday, 25 March 2021 11:43 AM
To: 'Maryanne Gates' <>
Cc: 'Canberra birds' <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Koel migration
My opinion. I would suggest that if it is ready for release, then do so. I can’t imagine any benefit in disrupting this bird’s development by retaining it artificially
in southern Australia. If you do and release it in spring, it might then think it needs to migrate south for 1500 km. There does not appear to be any reason to think that they need any access to any other Koels in order to migrate. No reason why they would.
They are antisocial birds.
You have not said whether it is an adult or a juvenile. Adults can migrate by themselves. Before they were breeding in Canberra, all adults would leave by February.
Juveniles normally have no one else to guide them, as they grow up only with foster parents and as soon as that bond is broken they are alone. They know what to do. They don’t have parents to guide them. Any presence of adult Koels around juveniles is transitory,
probably coincidental but at best unclear as to purpose, Most adults have already left several weeks ago and there are still a small number of juveniles around, so that is the normal; pattern .
Philip.
Does anyone know if there are still koels in the region or have they started their migration?
We have one in care that is ready for release, but not sure if they have already left and if so, does this one need to be in care over winter (hope not!)
Maryanne Gates
Bird Coordinator
Wildcare Queanbeyan Inc
PO Box 1404 Queanbeyan NSW 2620
www.wildcare.com.au
0411 422 897
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