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G'day!
A friend who is a carer for injured
wildlife was recently called to the aid of nestling Fairy Martins which had been
abandoned by the parent birds on a property near Dubbo, in central
NSW.
This was a small colony near a
farmhouse, and the landowners had been taking an interest in the birds, but not
interfering in any way with their activities. All seemed to be going well,
and it was obvious that there were a large number of chicks, when suddenly,
without any known reason, ALL of the adult birds failed to return after fying
out in the morning.
After waiting for a few days, the
farmers called in WIRES, and a rescue of two live chicks was effected. (They are
doing well, I am told.)
Can anyone help with information about
this behaviour? Do any other colonial birds abandon a whole colony when
there are chicks? (Other than waterbirds.) The landowners are very upset
about this happening, and can't think of any farm activity at that time that
could have caused the birds to leave. (I asked about such things as chemical
use, a new dog, installation of satellite dish on roof, etc, but came up with
zilch.)
Judie
Peet
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