Brolgas at WTP, Werribee

["Aaron Organ" <>]

Hi Peter,

            I was out there about a month or two ago looking for the Oriental Pratincole - you may have remembered my posting.  Back then there were two birds hanging around at the T-section/Austin Road Lagoons.  Had a quick look on the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife (AVW) and there are at least 11 documented records (last being in 2001) of the Brolga from the general area you have referred to.  Many of these records have been in the late 1990's, however, this may be a reflection on the lack of documented records before this time (not too sure).  Certainly a good sighting that should be entered on the AVW.  There have also been a number of records around Paradise Road lagoons during 1999-2001.

 

Melbourne Water have been actively controlling the foxes out there for the past year or so now and this has certainly reduced the predation pressure on many of the threatened species at the WTP.  Not too sure when the next baiting program is but maybe it's time for another one.

 

Cheers

 

Aaron Organ
Zoologist

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-----Original Message-----
From: [
Sent: Monday, 21 July 2003 8:23 PM
To:
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Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] Brolgas at WTP, Werribee

There were a pair of Brolga's feeding in the paddocks behind the Austin Road lagoon today.

After observing them for about 15 minutes, they made their way over to the lagoon for a quick drink and then flew south over the T-section Lagoons.

They then landed again near the small "natural" pond, outside the southern most fenceline where i again watched them feed and dance for another 30 minutes.

They drew quiet a bit of attention to themsleves, with a swamp harrier hovering only a meter above the males head, as if considering the feast that stood before it. The Brolga looked up at it, and it quickly decided against it.

I continued watching them through my scope and my heart sunk in my chest, as i saw a fox appear only meters behind them; the brolgas oblivious to its presence. I frantically shouted at the top of my lungs, and ran to the car to honk the horn, in an attempt to scare the Brolgas away. I dashed back to my scope and the Brolga's continued to feed, but the fox was nowhere in sight. Looks like i scared the fox more than the Brolga's!

Anyway, fantastic as usual to see Brolga's in the area. Whens the last time Brolga's have been reported in the WTP?

Peter