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I have been near permanently in rural WIndellama (100 km n.e. of Canberra) for 17 months since self-isolation post-Ghana birding. This allowed at least 20 fold more near continuous daily + observations compared to maximum of weekly for previous 8 years, broken
by overseas birding trips (not this year).
I too am sure many 'migrants' have not done so, or at least remants hang around. And I exclude those that attend for mozzarella, oats and wheat.
What also strikes me as very different is the near absence of mixed feeding flocks. Previously any stroll in winter would reveal at least one such flock. Although all component species have been present throughout this winter, I have seen / heard only one full-on
MFF, and two half-hearted groups. Even the thornbills seem to be segregated by species and the fantails operate in ones or twos without attenders.
Background - the bush block is typical dry sclerophyll, with native grasses, now rather moist and lush. Native tree and shrub cover is identical to Black Mountain, as is the elevation. Meterorology much as Canberra, much dryer in the drought but comparable
rainfall since it broke. No significant increase in visible insect density coming to lights or in traps yet, few lerps and few flowers until the wattles started a superb display last month. Possibly MFF allow sharing scarce food resources under adverse conditions
... but it isn't that much improved in 2021.
We tend not to report 'absences' as noted in the discussion with Philip on swifties. Anyway here is an MFF absence report for what it is worth. Has anyone else noted this ?
pete cranston
From: Canberrabirds <> on behalf of Richard Allen via Canberrabirds <>
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2021 9:43 AM
To: Terry Munro <>
Cc: <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Superb Parrots as overwinterers in Hughes/Garran
Two flew west over MacArthur this morning. First for this location for me.
Richard
Sent from my iPhone
On 18 Aug 2021, at 9:39 am, Terry Munro via Canberrabirds <> wrote:
There are still a few here in Watson
Terry Munro
On Wed, 18 Aug 2021 at 8:32 am, calyptorhynchus via Canberrabirds <> wrote:
I was confidently predicting regularly from April onwards that the Superbs were going to leave the Hughes/Garran area but in fact I think we can now describe them as overwinterers in this area.
The bulk of them seem to have left this area through June, but during July I saw and heard the odd bird. Since the beginning of August I have been seeing and hearing larger groups, with a flock of over ten yesterday.
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