Pelicans at landfills

["Bob Cook" <>]

Hi Nick

 

Here in Mildura, North-West Victoria, there is a permanent wetland, fed by stormwater runoff, adjacent to the main landfill site.  The combination is irresistible to many species, with, in approximate descending order of density:

 

Silver Gulls

White Ibis

Pelicans (probably up to 50 or more at a time)

European Starlings

Pacific Black Ducks

Coots

Grey Teal

Black Kites

Whistling Kites

Straw-necked Ibis

Magpies

Magpie-larks

Yellow-billed Spoonbills

Black-winged Stilts

Masked Lapwings

Clamourous Reed-warblers

Marsh Sandpipers

Spotted Crake

etc.

 

the first 4 above and the Kites and Magpies are seen to utilise the landfill, but others probably do.

 

The Pelicans spend all day in the area and I believe they roost and breed at the Sewerage farm about 2 kms away (they commute straight over our house)

 

Bob Cook

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: [On Behalf Of Nick Murray
Sent: Monday, 22 November 2004 3:05 PM
To:
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] Pelicans at landfills

G’day All,

 

Up here in QLD we have more ibis than any other species feeding at our landfills. Lately, however, Pelican numbers at landfills seem to be increasing. Has anyone else noticed the same thing around Australia? Also, does anyone know of any Pelican breeding or roosting sites around Ballina? I am interested in where these particular pelicans which are feeding at the landfill are going – a precursor to a possible colour marking study.

 

Cheers,

Nick

 

_____________________________

Nick Murray

Ecosure

PO Box 287

Tugun QLD 4224

Australia

 

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