In the last few weeks there has been much bird movement in response to the
food disruption caused be Cyclone Larry. The most obvious species affected
would appear to be the rainforest honeyeaters and fruit-doves.
With these species there seems to be more searching for food which probably
comes from a general build up of individual species numbers. Food may also be
interrupted by the fact that there has been negligible sunshine in FNQ for nine
weeks.
In Cairns, Port Douglas and Mossman palm fruit has been keenly sought after
by Woompoo Fruit-Doves in residential areas where the species has not been
noticed before.
In recent days four Channel-billed Cuckoos fed on ficus benjamina fruit in
the main street of Mossman, both unusual and very late in the season.
How many species were lost and disoriented in recent weeks is impossible to
know. A Brown Cuckoo-dove in a confused state flew into the Marreeba Savannah
and Wetland facility about a week ago. This was well to the west of normal
habitat.
In Cairns fruit bats have taken to eating citrus fruit which would be
considered unusual as a food resource.
One of my personal highlights for the week was observing an immature
Square-tailed Kite in Port Douglas, a first. They are generally very rare on
the lowlands. Wether this species was in our area because of recent weather
conditions one can only speculate.
Del. Richards, Fine Feathers, Mossman, NQ.
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