Interesting mixed flocks

[Wallaces via Canberrabirds <>]

Apologies for sending this to the chatline.

 

Steve

 

From: Canberrabirds <> On Behalf Of Wallaces via Canberrabirds
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2023 1:47 PM
To: 'Christine' <>; 'COG chatline' <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Interesting mixed flocks

 

Hi.

I do not have any information on the use of hilltops during migration. It would possibly be difficult to determine if hilltops were more significant than other areas.

 

I have not been out much. I got a video of an Australasian Grebe with a fish which looked way too large for it to eat. It failed several times to swallow it but did finally get it down. I have seen Spotted Crake at Jerra Wetlands several times.

 

Re your last attempt to organise an outing that I could not go on, I had to cancel most of what I had on that week because I had a sick dog. He got an infection in his feet and I was not comfortable with leaving him at home with a cone on to stop him licking them while the drugs kicked in. He is ok now.

 

Cheers

 

Steve

 

From: Canberrabirds <> On Behalf Of Christine via Canberrabirds
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2023 12:42 PM
To: COG chatline <>
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Interesting mixed flocks

 

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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