There might be (have been) more than one. I would vote for a wanderer. It is apparent from eBird that the species is occasionally, although infrequently,
reported well east of its usual stamping grounds, depending on coincidence of wanderer and observer. It is generally a motorist’s species. See the line of observations along the road to Ardlethan beginning, from this side, at Wallendbeen. Scattered obs include
2 by Hume Highway south of Goulburn 2019 (Sandra Henderson). One at Bathurst Sept 2022. Ten by road near Boorowa April 2024. Couple at different spots along Hume Highway south of Tarcutta. There is an established population in the western
suburbs of Sydney. The North Watson bird was reported September 2016 to June 2018. The Tidbinbilla bird might have making its way westward over grasslands/farmland until it came up against forest country.
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of Philip Veerman via Canberrabirds
Sent: Monday, 13 January 2025 10:01 PM
To: 'CanberraBirds email list' <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Apostlebird in Canberra
Just a thought. That there is a photo of one bird, may not mean there was only one bird. Could it be a group? Whether one or a group, it sure is a long extension.
Can the photographer be contacted about this? If one bird, I think human intervention is very likely. May be an accidental stowaway in a car or more likely a truck, bringing items from Parkes or Siding Springs out to the centre is a likely aspect to the story.
It is not too farfetched that one of these could jump into the back of a truck there and be transported.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds
On Behalf Of Graeme Clifton via Canberrabirds
Sent: Monday, 13 January, 2025 8:51 PM
To:
Cc: CanberraBirds email list
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Apostlebird in Canberra
Mark,
That’s a mystery for a species that gets around in a group and, I assume, not a strong flyer.
Human intervention, probably not.
Graeme Clifton
On 13 Jan 2025, at 8:45 pm, chollop7--- via Canberrabirds <> wrote:
This evening on the Facebook site
Native Birds in Australia is a photograph of what obviously is an Apostlebird, taken "at the Deep Space Centre, Canberra". The photographer states "Can't for the life figure what bird it is". Unfortunately, I don't have the time to head out there in
the next few days to have a look.
The most recent record of an Apostlebird in Canberra was of one who was around for quite a while at the (I think) small wetland in Watson a few years ago now. Prior to that there
is a single record in "Birds in the Australian High Country" 1984 revised edition. How a single bird of this species turned up at, I assume, the tracking station near Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is beyond me!
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