Hi all,
Blue-faced Parrot-Finches have been at the clearing on Mt. Lewis for many
years, at least 14 to my knowledge and possibly longer. The habitat has
changed over the years, when we started studying them in 1989 the "cleared"
area was predominantly grass. Since then trees and Lantana have invaded the
area shading out a good deal of the grass. It was not uncommon in the early
90's to see 40+ birds feeding here. Since the suitable habitat has decreased
the birds have taken to feeding on the remaining grass which is now mostly
alongside the road. I don't think as George suggested the numbers are
increasing, it's just that they are more visible. We have also seen them
recently further away from the usual site along the road towards the Dam
(Bowerbird site). As to where they go when not at the Mt. Lewis site it is
still a bit of a mystery. They seem to disappear April/May and return
November/December although we have seen a juvenile bird in October. One of
our banded birds was seen at the base of the mountain, suggesting an
altitudinal movement.
I'd encourage anyone who sights BFPF's in the Mt. Lewis/Julatten area to put
their records in the sightings book at Kingfisher Park where records have
been kept over a number of years.
Cheers,
Keith & Lindsay Fisher
Cairns, (16°55' 40"S 145° 46' 35"E)
Far North Queensland 4870 Australia
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