Talk about a quick reply to my posting! David asked about comparisons with
timing and numbers in other years, particularly regarding White-naped.
Although I've been getting moderate numbers going over for the last few
weeks, the migration was definitely late getting started here in Katoomba.
The first migrating flocks were noticed on 31st March; usually it's at
least a week or so earlier than this. Yesterday morning was about the
largest movement so far this season (at least on the days I've been here)
and as I outlined before, that wasn't huge by more usual standards.
Let me point out that even these numbers are impressive enough for my
neighours to ask me what all the little birds going over are. It's only by
regularly counting them that the trends emerge.
Regarding the proportion of White-naped Honeyeaters. It is normal for the
migration to begin as almost all Yellow-faced, with the proportion of
White-naped increasing as the season progresses. Generally, White-naped
remain in the minority until the very end of the migration, say mid to late
May when they make up about half or even the majority of the birds. Hope
this helps to answer some questions, or perhaps it raises more than it
answers! (Always the case with birds.)
cheers
Carol
At 11:52 AM +1000 7/5/04, wrote:
>
>I was only speaking to someone this morning about honeyeater migration and
>the fact that White-naped numbers, to date, seem to be well down on
>previous years. Questions were asked about whether the migration was late
>(particularly in light of a paucity of Swift Parrot records) or whether
>the drought was having an impact.
>
>Then Carol posts something about the migration commencing over Katoomba.
> I note, however, that White-naped account for only (?) 30% of the birds.
> Carol might be able to comment on how all this relates to previous years.
>
>Cheers
>
>David Geering
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