Interesting mixed flocks

[Christine via Canberrabirds <>]

Hi all,

on the weekend I came across a couple of interesting mixed feeding / migrating flocks. Both were on hill tops, and seemed to be slow moving, and even temporarily incorporating sedentary birds as they moved through.

It is the first time I have witnessed such groups and it raised a few questions about where the birds were migrating to, do they usually migrate in mixed flocks, why were they on hill tops, and will some of them stay here in Canberra?

The first flock was late afternoon on Black Mountain summit. There were at least 20 female and immature Golden Whistlers, several Grey Fantails, a Rufous Whistler, some White-throated TreeCreepers, and one Rufous Fantail.

The second flock was on top of Red Hill, on Saturday morning. It comprised 50+ Silvereyes, at least 6 Golden Whistlers (again female and Immature only), 2 White-throated Gerygones, several Grey Fantails and a female Scarlet Robin. Birds which seemed to temporarily join this group included Superb Fairywrens and Red-browed Finch.

Thanks for any information on this behaviour,

cheers,

Christine.

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