Thanks for that Syd. I believe that Aus insect repellants don't work
that well with the dreaded NZ sandflies, but I've heard that some of
the local concoctions seem to be fairly effective. Not sure if anyone
has developed a Kea [a very tame species] repellant yet.
On Friday, December 23, 2005, at 04:12 PM, Syd Curtis wrote:
On one of my walks of the Milford Track ('98, maybe) I had just
crossed the
Arthur River on the last day of the walk. The vegetation grew right
to the
side of the high bridge on the western bank. I like to think that the
family of Grey Fantails were waiting for walkers to cross. Mother
Fantail
and three juveniles.
I paused to admire the view down the river and immediately the
notorious
Milford sandflies** attacked. This was what the birds were waiting
for.
The three juveniles deftly picked off the sandflies in mid-air just
inches
in front of my face, while Mother admired their newly developed aerial
dexterity. Unfortunately a few of the attackers were getting through
the
guard and as I react very severely to sandfly bites, I had to move on.
But
it was a happy experience.
A happy holiday season and a prosperous 2006 to all on birding-aus and
the
birds we love.
Syd Curtis
** They are HUGE! I was told that one landed on the Milford aero pad
and
the locals refuelled it before they realized what it was. :-)
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