Imagine my amazement (see the two 2007 emails BELOW), then, on 31 July
this year, 2009, to see a Red Wattlebird at my back door. Here, we're
at almost 500m, being on the ridge next west from that described
below. Through plate glass, the bird was clearly visible. Perched on
the banister of the back steops, not 10 feet from me, it was silent,
intently observing a Little Wattlebird bathing in the birdbath.
Cheers!
Judith
--------
To:
Subject: rare here (SEQ, ?400m)
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2007 12:16:23 +1000
Commonplace as it may be to most of you, you'll barely be able to
imagine my astonishment at coming across a Red Wattlebird last weekend
-- on east-facing hills of the Daguilar Range (Mt Mee spur/ Ocean
View). At 2007 UBD page 45, L 16, the bird was in recently subdivided
banksia country. Elevation's probably 350-450m, and building &
landscaping have nevertheless left many of the plants that were
on-site when "settlement" took off about ?5 years ago. There appeared
to be only one Red Wattlebird. It would be described as "associating
with" a group of Little/Brush Wattlebirds, though its behaviour was
different & the "association" seemed... loose. The wattlebirds were
all foraging in the banksias (& moving among nearby trees/shrubs).
While the Brush/Littles were engaging in chases & appeared to be in
groups, however, the lone Red was not approached by any of the others
while I watched, nor did it approach them or any other species. It was
much warier than its smaller fellows of human movement (-- though I
remained in my car, at a distance of 30m minimum, the bird retreated
to cover whenever I raised the camera or made other slight movements).
The country up here is much cooler than Brisbane, especially by night.
A little further down the eastern face of these hills I have in
previous years seen New Holland OR White-cheeked among the banksias
(sorry, don't have the record with me at present, but can advise which
it was if anyone's particularly interested) -- which I've not seen
elsewhere on these mountains. The afternoon was sunny & clear, July
being warmer than June had been, with perhaps a breeze. The bird's red
wattle was clearly evident, as was its lovely powder-yellow belly and
hoarse voice. In the current Atlas, records of this bird in this
location look non-existent.
Cheers!
Judith.
===============================
www.birding-aus.org
--------------------------------------
To: birding-aus <>
Subject: Red Wattlebird north of Brisbane
From: "Tom Tarrant" <>
Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2007 13:10:54 +1000
Hi All,
Congratulations due to Judith Lukin-Amundsen, who discovered a Red
Wattlebird at Ocean View (near Mt Mee north of Dayboro)
My closest observations to Brisbane are at Stanthorpe (some 3.5 hours drive
south near the NSW border.)
The bird feeds on coastal Banksia but is quite shy although it regularly
gives it distinctive- loud-call.
I've posted some poor but convincing images on the ABID (see
http://www.aviceda.org/abid/newimages.php)
Tom Tarrant
--
********************************
Tom & Marie Tarrant
Samsonvale, Qld
http://www.aviceda.org
http://wildlife.vodpod.com/
********************************
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