Rain expected

My grandfather use to say that when
the mudlarks and magpies called together in song, then it would rain within
24 hours.

I've often found this too be a reliable
indicator and it makes sense that both species would be happy about the
prospects of nice soft ground to pluck a  juicy worm out of.

I think that these types of stories
should be considered in a regional context though, and might not be exportable
as general rules to other locations. 

Peter

Syd Curtis <>
Sent by:

16/08/2004 09:02 PM

To	bird <>
cc
Subject	[BIRDING-AUS] Rain expected

Reid asked, 14 Aug. '04:

 Does anyone else know of incidents (either fact or fable) where birds,
by their activities or behaviour, seem to provide an advance indication/foreknowledge
of coming physical events  - rain, thunderstorms, earthquakes, flood,
locqust plague, etc, in advance of any indications being obvious to humans?

Family folk-lore in the 1930s was that when Currawongs gathered in a large
flock all singing together, this indicated that rain was coming.  This
was on Tamborine Mountain just in from the Gold Coast, southern Queensland.
 

On 15 June 1984,  I tape recorded such a currawong chorus at the Caravan
Park at Mt Warning, where I was staying to record Albert's Lyrebirds in
the  National Park.  It was fine when I recorded the currawongs,
but rain followed.  So much in fact that I had to stay an extra night
because the creek came up and covered the bridge.

Coincidence?  Probably.  But just maybe ...

Cheers

Syd