Hi all
I was on Lady Carrington Drive in the Royal National Park today with
a couple of friends from the US. Without a word of exaggeration, we
counted over 500 Topknot Pigeons.
The day began with a fly-by of 140 birds at the entrance to the
trail, very closely followed by another 100. Both flocks flew up the
valley in a north-easterly direction. We shortly observed another two
flocks of at least 60 birds and then another 100+ foraging in Cabbage
Palms about 1.5 kilometres along the trail. The noise of calling
pigeons, falling fruit and seeds, etc., had to be heard to be
believed. Flocks of 30 to 70 birds continued to move up and down the
valley at regular intervals for the remainder of the day.
Counted some twice? The patterns of movement and timing in which we
saw them travel made for a minimum of 500 birds. It was actually
easily possible that we saw more than 700 birds but I would have to
concede that some of these birds could have doubled back and been
recounted - but maybe not.
In the past I have thought that observations of a few flocks of 30
birds was an exceptionally good day's observations at this location
but this whole event has turned all of my observations since the
1970's on this trail on their head.
Speculation for the reasons for this are probably pointless at this
point. I can only suggest, at a pinch, that the birds are moving
further south in a big way or perhaps the Cabbage Palms are doing
than better ever in this location and word has gotten around.
Happy birding
(a mindboggled)
Ricki Coughlan
Sydney
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