On Christmas Eve, I posted a message about the unexpected appearance of a
Rufous Night Heron. New Year's Day proved even more surprising.
To appreciate today's sighting a description of the area is required. My
home is in a very suburban area of the Gold Coast. It was established more
than 50 years ago when there were large areas of bushland around it. Since
then, all the bushland has disappeared as more and more residential areas
were opened up.( The population of the whole of the Gold Coast was less than
10000 when the area was established. It is now approaching half a million.)
There is NO bushland left within 2 or 3 kilometres and most of the
vegetation is that of suburban areas without the low bushes that support
wrens , etc.
My wife and I were standing in an area in front of our house which consists
of concrete under foot with shade sails over the top. What, at first,
appeared to be a large leaf landed within 50 cm of our feet. The "leaf"
then disappeared under the car and, as I raced around to the other side
walked calmly onto the footpath. As I ran to have another look, it calmly
walked up the footpath for three or four metres and then realised I was
behind it and flew across the road onto more lawn. It was then attacked by
a Noisy Miner (aren't they all) and flew away rapidly.
I had a close (and long) enough look to positively identify this visitor. A
Painted Button-quail had graced us with its presence. Maybe it was a cage
escapee, but they are around the place and I would prefer to think it was a
visitor from the bushland.
What a sighting to help start the 2002 list without leaving my VERY suburban
yard.
Terry Pacey
27°57'02"S 153°24'12"E
Gold Coast
SE Qld
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