Interesting mixed flocks

[Michael Lenz via Canberrabirds <>]

Hi Christine,

thanks for sharing your interesting observations.

I agree with other comments, the fact that you saw those flocks on hilltops was most likely incidental.

But your mixed flocks had some special features normal feeding flocks at this time of year don't have. You saw a high proportion of High Ccountry (tall forest) birds, such as many Golden Whistlers (up to 20!) and a Rufous Fantail. I associate such events with some severe weather in the High Country, such as severe Thunderstorms, triggering movement of birds from  higher to lower elevations.

This can also happen even during the breeding season when after heavy thunderstorms, High Country species may appear in the woodlands (even gardens) around Canberra (such as Golden Whistler, Sati Flycatcher, Rufous Fantail), and quickly departing again once the weather has cleared.

Michael Lenz

On Wed, 29 Mar 2023 at 12:43, Christine via Canberrabirds <> wrote:

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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