We have a small aquatic feature in our garden, namely a round pot approx half a
metre deep and half a metre across, the surface of the water almost totally
covered with floating aquatic plants. It’s protected overhead and on three
sides by citrus trees and star jasmine vine. Christmas present last year from
daughter was four tiny goldfish, duly introduced to the pond where three have
thrived - but one mysteriously disappeared. Whilst the others have managed to
fend for themselves during our absences, they get a “treat” - a sprinkle from
the fish food canister - when we return home. But on our return from the coast
yesterday only two surfaced to partake in the feast. Hmmm. Anyway, shortly
after yesterday’s feast, I was astonished to find a fish on the ground at the
feet of a grey butcherbird which wasn’t phased by my sudden appearance. It
stood right there as I picked up the fish, still fresh but unfortunately
deceased. I guess the fish was on the surface and presented easy pickings for a
skilled hunter. Even so, given the surrounding environment, it’s hard to
believe how it managed to find it. The other two missing fish presumably met a
similar fate. However, no point in wasting good food, and the bird disappeared
with the fish in its beak. About half an hour later there were three grey
butcherbirds on the overhead wire singing their hearts out.
And the pond is now covered.
Cheers
Rod
Sent from my iPad
> On 31 Jul 2021, at 11:12 am, sandra henderson via Canberrabirds
> <> wrote:
>
> Driving along Mugga Lane this morning, I saw what looked like a large dead
> bird near the Murrays depot. Stopped for a closer look - dead peahen. I know
> they do fly, but this was some way from their Narrabundah hangout.
>
> Any earlier this week one of the trainers at the gym told me how devastated
> she was that a big white bird had eaten two of the four fish in her tiny
> pond. Photo of it sitting on roof of her Isabella Plains house showed a Great
> Egret. Pond is apparently little more than a metre across.
>
> Sandra H
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