Highlights from twice-weekly Canberra Ornithologists' Group (COG) hotline,
for period ending 6 October (some reports are of earlier obs).
Re the 'nightjar' of last time; my thanks for the various comments I've
received on it. Essentially, the ACT rarities panel has endorsed 4 records
of White-throated Nightjars (in '85, '86, '87, '94); there have been older
reports, plus more recent ones, either not endorsed (because only heard, for
instance), or not offered for endorsement. All are of White-throated (though
the current observor leans to Spotted!).
THE FOLLOWING ARE 'FIRST RETURNS' FOR THE SEASON:
26/9 RAINBOW BEE-EATER
27/9 LEADEN FLYCATCHER
27/9 SACRED KINGFISHERS [both these last two appeared en masse, suddenly,
as is their wont]
2/10 WHITE-WINGED TRILLER [apparently the cerebral ones, as the only
reported returns so far are from the ANU campus!]
MISC RECORDS
KOEL male at Jerrabomberra Estate, Queanbeyan [in recent years a few have
turned up most years, but this seems early]
GREY BUTCHERBIRD nesting in suburban Kambah [I know of very few such
records for the ACT, and none at all from the suburbs]
WHITE-BREASTED SEA-EAGLE 2/10 in 3 metre tree by the rural
Captains Flat Rd, past Queanbeyan!
GREY FANTAILS harassing a FAN-TAILED CUCKOO, but ignoring the 2nd cuckoo
40cm away on the same branch, even when the 'victim' cuckoo flew off!
..............................................................
Hotline number: 02 6247 5530
COG web site: www.canberrabirds.dynamite.com.au/
---
Ian Fraser, Canberra
Environment Tours; Vertego Environmental Writing Consultancy
GPO Box 3268, Canberra, ACT 2601
ph: 02 62491560 fax: 02 62473227
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