Hi again,
I have just been told of a second bird at Werribee in the same condition. I
guess this years crop of falcon, kite and other local predators are not too
skilled yet. I do hope they get better and not too many other waders are
left injured.
Jen
On Wed, Dec 30, 2009 at 6:02 PM, jenny spry <> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> It was a very pleasant day at Werribee with all the usual suspects
> eventually being found around the various ponds, including close on 40 Cape
> Barren Geese.
>
> Notable was a Sharpie down at the T section ponds. I noticed it as it
> thrashed around in shallow water in some distress. It was close to the edge
> and as it thrashed, head often under water, birds collected on the bank to
> watch. They were flying in from some distance and finally included a stilt,
> stints, sharpies, curlew sandpipers and a marsh sandpiper. The total count
> was forty-seven birds. They all stood just staring as the sharpie finally
> struggled ashore, then they gathered around it in a circle. Very interesting
> to watch the way birds of various species were drawn in to the drama.
>
> I initially suspected a broken wing but the bird eventually hobbled upright
> and flew off, all in one lurching flapping movement. Photos taken as the
> bird took off suggest a broken leg was the cause and I suspect a fairly
> recent break as the bird was still alive and otherwise well and yet had not
> learnt to live using one leg. When the bird left, the watching crowd of
> birds, and me, drifted away like spectators after an accident. I do wonder
> what its fate will be? Not good I guess.
>
> Still, all in all, it was a beautiful day to be out and about birding.
> Happy new year everyone
>
> Jen
>
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