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Thought I'd put my "two bob's" worth in about this
subject, as in the last week we've had 3 different sorts of reptilian predators
in our house yard.
Firstly a Sand Goanna, who no doubt had a feast of
various types of eggs. Secondly a King Brown, who I know had a baby White-plumed
Honeyeater for breakfast and, thirdly a Carpet Snake,who, I hope is living on
mice.
I have 2 White-plumed Honeyeater nests just outside
the office window and I watch the whole process of nest building, laying,
hatching, feeding etc. every year.A few days ago [mid-morning] I heard a
commotion from a lot of little birds, and knew immediately it was a
snake.
I peeked out to have a look and sure enough, a King
Brown was slithering along the garden bed and then went under the house. I then
had a look in the nest for the one little Honeyeater and it was gone. It was in
it's nest a couple of hours previously so I assume it must have been the
snake.
The Carpet Snake is a long time resident of our
house yard and no doubt eats baby birds. It actually lives in an old aviary
which is now a chook yard, so I'm hoping it eats more mice[who like the chook
feed] than it does birds.
We've seen two pairs of Spotted Nightjars this
week. One pair only about a klm. from the house and another a bit further out
towards the mulga country. Both pairs flew up just from the side of the road, so
are obviously nesting there. With all the predators around it seems to be
miraculous that these ground nesting birds in particular manage to rear a
chick.
Julie.
Julie McLaren.
"Bowra",
Cunnamulla,Qld.4490
PH. O746551238
FAX
0746552368
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