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CANADA GOOSE. I can't see how a single bird
poses any threat to Australia!
Incidentally, it was found by Noel Linehan
& Lindsay Smith at Shoalhaven Heads, NSW, on 18th October. Tricia & I
twitched it on 29th October but am waiting on further information and a
consensus view (particularly that of BARC) on its likely provenance before
ticking it.
BRAHMINY KITE. Lew Oring had 'a superior view' of
an adult at Mallacoota in eastern Victoria on about 15th September. When the
Victorian Atlas was published in 1987 there were no records of this species in
the state. More recently there have been reports from two areas in eastern
Victoria. We spent 6 or 7 hours searching Mallacoota while
returning from the Canada Goose twitch but saw none.
WHITE-HEADED PIGEON. On 30th October, Len Axen
& Joy Johnstone of Orbost took me to a garden in nearby Jarrahmond where up
to 9 White-headed Pigeons were coming together to a bird table and
bath. We saw 8. They first appeared about two months previously and the presence
of juveniles suggested they had bred locally. This is another species unknown in
Victoria, (at least to the scientific community), prior to 1987 but has appeared
regularly in recent years. This is probably the largest congregation yet
seen in Victoria and I have not previously heard it suggested that they may
breed in this state.
SCARLET HONEYEATER. While awaiting the
White-headed Pigeons we saw a Scarlet Honeyeater. This was the first sighting
for this season in this garden where they bred last summer.
GRASS OWL. Not to be outdone, birders in the west
of the state have been watching a Grass Owl. It was found on private land near
the coast in September.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mt
Eliza VIC 3930
Ph: (03) 9787
7136
Email:
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