Here in Northern Norway we now and then, particularly after storms, have
similar problems with alcids, particularly the Little Auk (or Dovekie) Alle
alle. When they land in the snow, it is impossible for them to fly up again,
and they are dependent on people to rescue them and bring them to open
water---which in winter may necessitate a long drive to the nearest fjord.. We
occasionally also have had Atlantic Puffin in the same predicament, but by far
the majority of these victims are Little Auks. But in our case they are really
victims of the wind, not birds that miscalculate and believe wet asphalt etc
are water surfaces.
Wim Vader, Tromsø Museum
9037 Tromsø, Norway
________________________________________
Van:
namens brian fleming
Verzonden: donderdag 15 december 2011 7:49
Aan: Carl Clifford;
Onderwerp: Re: [Birding-Aus] Grebes mistake car park for lake
I have heard of many cases of Musk Ducks, Blue-billed Ducks and all
three Australian grebe species landing on moonlit tin roofs. Old copies
of "Wild Life" magazine used to carry reports, often from people puzzled
because they believed that Musk Ducks are unable to fly.
I notice that all these birds are very poor walkers and may not be able
to fly without a water take-off. Presumably after landing on a solid
surface, other waterbirds were able to get up and fly on.
One Australasian Grebe landed on a friend's garage, and subsequently
fell or jumped off the roof, was found in garden by Labrador dog,
rescued and released at Banyule Flats, Heidelberg.
I wonder if the Walmart car-park had a coating of frost or otherwise
looked like a lake, perhaps in moonlight?
Anthea Fleming
On 15/12/2011 9:21 AM, Carl Clifford wrote:
> Dave,
>
> I would believe it. Walmart stores seem to attract bizarre behaviour in
> a range of species, though this seems to mainly have occurred in Homo
> sapiens. For examples, Google "Walmart people".
>
> On a serious side, does anyone know of this type of incident happening
> in Australia?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Carl Clifford
>
>
> On 15/12/2011, at 9:04 AM, Dave Torr wrote:
>
> http://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/thousands-of-birds-make-fatal-crash-landing-in-walmart-car-park-20111215-1ovgw.html
>
>
> Seems weird but it's in The Age so it must be true!
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