Until recent times, the Little Wattlebirds ruled the roost in my yard.
However, so many trees have disappeared and so many units have been built that
habitat has decreased greatly and the Noisy Miners have joined forces and
ganged up and taken over my yard in Maroochydore SEQ.
The Little Wattlebirds did not breed early in the season this year as they
usually do. There has always been a group of at least five birds, but varying
upwards.
I suddenly realised that I had not heard one call since coming home from
holidays back in November, and did not see the birds either. After not seeing
or hearing them, suddenly, at Christmas, one bird turned up. Next day there
were three birds, and the following day there were six birds or more. They
have stayed ever since. I frankly do not know where all the birds are finding
enough to eat. They were gone for around six to eight weeks, and did not have
a young one with them on return.
I take it they did not take a holiday, but wonder if they looked for a new site
and failed to find anywhere more satisfactory. I am pretty sure they are the
same birds which had lived here previously.
The pair of crows also disappeared for two weeks in early spring, and I think
it was the same pair which returned. They did then raise one young.
Meantime, we have lost all the Pied Butcherbirds, the Black-faced
Cuckoo-shrikes, and several other species.
One huge Melaleuca quinquenervia being knocked down seemed to be the final
straw. It had been a magnificent tree and a magnificent resource. The fast
growing population is certainly destroying a beautiful area.
Robyn
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