Abundance of Chestnut Breasted Mannikins and Magpie Geese in North Queensland

Hi All,

Thought I would report that there have
been several large flocks of both Magpie Geese and Chestnut Breasted Mannikins
in and around the Cairns area of late.

Magpie Geese have always been a visitor
but what has driven them to this area in such large numbers over summer
has me stumped.  They are mainly feeding/roosting in newly harvested
cane fields.  On the way out to Yorkeys Knob in a field, I spotted
a flock of about 300-400 in there.

Also, after seeing flocks of Chestnut
Breasted Mannikins flying around my father's office at Smithfield, I did
a quick check in the office gardens which are filled with native grasses,
and found a pair nesting in the grasses that my father has planted.  He
advised me last week that after a quick check of the area surrounding his
office in Smithfield, he found 18 nests with varying stages of chick development.

He is now actively shepherding his clients
quietly around his pair that are nesting in the garden.  Not exactly
a new concept for my parents who have had to redirect visitors to their
house away from the Sunbirds that nested on their doorbell!

The things we do to make sure some birds
get their chicks out!

Cheers,

Inger


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