It took me till 4:40 to get out there to check. I followed the repeated “weep” sound to find the Koel fledgling, fortunately (because it is not in someone’s property) now in my
local little park (the near half of which I include in my GBS) in tree at the closest side. Even though today was the first day I notice it, it is quite big, with tail fully grown (long as an adult). 1 or 2 RWB feeding it. “Weep” call gets higher pitch when
the RWB feeds it. Whilst watching I hear a commotion of adult Koels nearby. I go 50 metres to the centre of the park and find 3 or 4 males and 1 female adult koels screeching and chasing. After about 5 minutes of that, they all flew off. No interaction at
all with the young bird (as I would expect not to happen). I walked back to the young bird, it had not moved, then it did fly the 100 metres back towards my neighbour’s place, where it was this morning. It flew competently (and not in the direction the adults
had gone). The RWB followed it. These are my first sightings of the species for this season. At 8:30 this morning I was still in pygamas, that is why I didn’t chase it then.
Philip
From: [
Sent: Tuesday, 28 December, 2021 3:26 PM
To: 'Philip Veerman';
Subject: RE: [Canberrabirds] Koel fledgling
Thanks Philip, quite similar to my experience, and shows that RWBs are still vulnerable even when Koels are quiet, in fact one theory is that they may be more so as they’re
likely to be less alert to them if Koels aren’t noisy. The 7th for the new season I am aware of. Jack Holland
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of Philip Veerman
Sent: Tuesday, 28 December 2021 10:24 AM
To:
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Koel fledgling
Koel fledgling heard for several minutes at my home at 8:30 this morning (first detection for me this year). I did not get to see it. Will try later. There has been very little adult Koel activity around my place this season until this
week with a lot of adult calling.
Philip
