g'Day all
This report describes the observation of a single flock of 12+ Princess
Parrots flying south across the Gary Junction Road, 47 km west of
Jupiter Well (22 52' 11.9" S, 126 11' 27.9" E) at 10.10 am (WST) on
Saturday, 15th August 2009. The location is about 90 km west of the
site where Princess Parrots were observed on 24th July 2009 reported by
Jon King.
In perfect light with the sun behind us, the flock of light aqua green
birds showing paler shoulders and darker rumps wheeled across the road
less than 20 m in front of us within 6 m of the ground and. The
parrots seemed to rise from a sand dune about 150 m north of the road.
It is possible they had passed over the dune top flying close to the
ground, as we approached travelling west in our vehicle at about 50
km/h. Notwithstanding their colour and larger size, in this situation
the rapid co-ordinated flight characteristic of these birds was
reminiscent of Cockatiel.
Stopping quickly, I alighted from the vehicle not taking my eyes off the
birds as they wheeled across the plain towards some isolated Desert
Hakea at least 400 m south west of us. It appeared they landed in these
shrubs however we were unable to locate any more birds when we walked
over to them.
The area looked poor compared to land condition further east and at the
time we were actually departing the area after spending several days
unsuccessfully searching for Princess Parrots around Jupiter Well and
also other suitable habitat areas to the east, visiting sites daily
reported by Jon King. An inspection of Spinifex in this area showed
most seed had dropped and I was unable to recognise any fresh footprints
so we decided to move on
Over the four days of our visit to the Jupiter Well area, the vigorous
flush of flowering plants reported by Jon only three weeks earlier was
already diminishing rapidly. Day temperatures were now warm to hot and
most flowering plants were nearing the end of their ephemeral cycle
although the numbers of nomadic bird species including Honeyeaters
(Pied, Black, Grey-headed, White-fronted, Singing) Woodswallows and
Chats etc. were still high.
Also of interest was an approachable male Grey Falcon offering good
photographic opportunities on two consecutive afternoons (13th and 14th
August at 17.30). It was using a perched near the top of a dead desert
oak located on the south side of the road, about 150 m east of the
entrance gate into the currently abandoned Nyinmy community
infrastructure.(approx 18 km east of Jupiter Well).
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Jon and Anne King for their excellent reports and also private
communication that gave us the incentive for this trip.
See
(1) Princess Parrots near Jupiter Well
http://bioacoustics.cse.unsw.edu.au/archives/html/birding-aus/2009-07/msg00050.html
(2) More Princess Parrots near Jupiter Well
http://bioacoustics.cse.unsw.edu.au/archives/html/birding-aus/2009-07/msg00460.html
Thanks also to Geoff Jones of Barra Imaging
http://www.barraimaging.com.au/ for his expert photographic advice that
is giving us much enjoyment.
Regards
Ian and Pat May
St Helens Tasmania
(currently at Price SA)
Ph. 0428337956
(08) 88326212
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