John Leonard's birds 'suck it and see' theory seems very plausible -
especially when you recognise that ducks, especially, often fly at
considerable altitudes (isn't the altitude record held by a Mallard?). So
they could indeed see long distances.
Its the best contender so far - but I have a few problems with it.
Is it likely that great mobs of birds all head off, leaving a perfectly good
lake, on what might be a wild goose chase (sorry)? And if its just the odd
one or two that discovers the water (a) why would they return to tell the
others and (b) how would they communicate it? (like bees?)
Last question. What attracts them? Why should new waters inland, hours and
hours of flying time away, attract them away from plenty of water and rich
feeding grounds at (say) a sewage works in the south east?
Pat O'Malley
To unsubscribe from this list, please send a message to
Include ONLY "unsubscribe birding-aus"
in the message body (without the quotes)
|
