Hi Neville,
Sounds like there were lots of 'raptures' to be had on this trip!
John Tongue
Ulverstone, Tas.
On 18/05/2008, at 11:53 AM, Neville Schrader wrote:
For those interested in seeing the Flock Pigeons in the
Cunnamulla district. Having arrived back yesterday from seeing them
on Friday (16th) they are still easy to locate, being observed 50km
out on the Charleville road over 4000 birds. On the Bourke road
feeding (2000+) on the road edge, good close up observations and on
the St George road (50+). I never expected to have them so close I
didn't need binoculars.
I was interested to note the interaction between the Flock
Pigeon, Black Falcons and Spotted Harriers. On the approach of
Black Falcons towards the flock they would twist and turn before
dropping to the ground from full flight usually at high speed. The
Spotted Harrier would then approach were the flock had landed and
then made numerous drops into the thick grass, until the flock
flushed. Then the process was repeated with the Black Falcon. Even
though I observed this at least a dozen times over and hour, I
never observed any pigeons taken by either bird of prey.
The pigeons were nervous especially when approaching the
waterhole and would make numerous passes before coming into drink,
with many of the birds actually landing in the water with bill open
taking a gulp of water before taking off, this all happen as other
birds whirled overhead and others landed on the bank before moving
down to drink. Overall it appear to be very confusing and no doubt
would appear so to a bird of prey.
Besides the Flock Pigeons there was large numbers of Little
button-quail and Stubble Quail which would explain the large number
of raptures (and maybe explains why the lack of raptures around
Parkes), besides the two species mentions there was Nankeen
Kestrels, Black Kites, Brown Falcons, Black-shouldered Kites. I
was surprised at the number of raptures killed by the road.
A trip on the Thargomindah road was also worth while with
large numbers of Zebra Finch and I mean thousands of flocks, the
most I have ever seen in a small area. Having Bourke Parrots and
Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush feeding on the side of the road way
was and added bonus as were the Plum-headed Finches.
Overall it was worth the 680km drive from Parkes
.
Neville W. Schrader OAM
2 Elizabeth St.,
Parkes NSW 2870
==============================www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
To unsubscribe from this mailing list,
send the message:
unsubscribe
(in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
to:
==============================
===============================
www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
To unsubscribe from this mailing list,
send the message:
unsubscribe
(in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
to:
===============================
|
