Yes what I have been told by guides on the local paddle steamers in Mildura is
that the levels of oxygen in the river fall sufficiently in the cold weather
that the Bony Bream die, and that this attracts birds at this time of year
(particularly Pelicans). Not certain that is the exact answer, but something is
happening to the fish (maybe just water temperature is too cold?) and the bird
numbers do seem to increase.
I was just thinking yesterday as I drove to work over the Mildura Bridge that I
hadn't noticed a build up of pelicans this year, but maybe they are still up
north having too much fun in the Lake Eyre floods to bother about a few fish in
the Murray River.
Cheers,
Peter
> From:
> To: ;
> Subject: RE: [Birding-Aus] Is this usual ?
> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:08:53 +1000
>
> Hi Tony
>
> When we were living in Mildura, it was quite common during the cold season
> to see significant numbers of Darters, along with many, many Cormorants,
> Pelicans and Gulls on the river feeding on what I was told were "Bony Bream"
> that were "dying?" (perhaps just weakened) in the river. Some cold mornings
> it was quite spectacular to see perhaps 200 or more birds fishing just above
> and below the weir. Maybe what you saw also is due to the cold!
>
> Bob Cook
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> On Behalf Of Tony Russell
> Sent: Wednesday, 10 June 2009 11:01 AM
> To: Birds
> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Is this usual ?
>
> Whilst spending a few days in the Renmark - Paringa area last week we
> were surprised to find relatively large numbers of Darters. The largest
> group of some 20 or so were just below Lock 5 at Paringa, but we also
> saw individuals and groups of two or three just about everywhere we went
> along the river and lagoons. One can usually find a few Darters, most
> frequently as lone birds, along the river but these numbers seemed
> exceptional. Any thoughts ?
>
> Tony.
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