In answer to Dave Torr's query ... my $0.02 worth.
I think Black falcons are significantly under-reported around Geelong and
Melbourne's fringes, but they're still undoubtedly uncommon - rare. Whilst
it's always going to be difficult to get an idea of how much they move
around, and therefore how many of the observations are unique individuals,
it's reasonable to apply Ockham's Razor and expect that birds seen all
around the plains (Vic Volcanic Plains mostly, but some on the Otway and
Gippsland Plains too) on the western and eastern edges of Melbourne, more or
less contemporaneously, can't just be a few very busy individuals! Having
said that, there aren't all that many sites where I get repeat sightings in
the short term, so they most likely have either large home ranges or do
wander a bit in the south.
Do they migrate to the coast in summer/autumn and go back inland to breed in
winter? This is what the books and records say/suggest, but about 20% of my
sightings around Melbourne/Geelong are from winter. I guess these could be
over-wintering/young birds? ... or maybe they're just rare enough that we
haven't found the southern nests yet.
L.
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++++++++++++
Lawrie Conole
28 Reid Street
Northcote, VIC 3070
AUSTRALIA
lconole[at]gmail.com
0419 588 993
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