These stories remind me of a much milder version I've seen with ducks on Lake
Borrie at WTP, or at least on the pond next to it.
When the Northern Shoveler was around earlier this year, I noticed that it,
along with the Australasian Shovelers, was allowing itself to drift with the
wind to one side of the pond, then it would swim to the upwind side again, and
start over. I rarely saw it feeding during these movements. Occasionally it
would rest on the sheltered bank for a while before resuming the cycle.
Not as exciting as surfing or a fast flowing channel, but still the same kind
of repetitive drifting and returning. Why? Perhaps just a desire to be on the
water and moving? Or prey is scarce enough that this is the most efficient way
to increase chances of encountering some?
Peter Shute
Sent from my iPad
> On 14 Dec 2013, at 9:14 pm, "brian fleming" <> wrote:
>
> Some years ago we saw ducks riding downstream on a strong current
> in one of the outlet channels at the Western Treatment Plant, Werribee.
> Mostly Pinkears and Australian Shovelers but a few Black Ducks with
> them. There was no doubt in our minds that the birds were doing this
> for enjoyment, whizzing downstream among clouds of foam and then
> battling upstream, or sometimes flying, to do it again and again. This
> was in a channel leading seawards from the road leading east to the
> Borrow Pits. The tide was very low and water levels in the ponds were
> high, so a strong current developed. The channel was quite crowded with
> the birds - we made no attempt to count them at the time but in
> recollection there were dozens and dozens of them. I still have some
> print photos of the scene.
> The Black Swans in the clip also seemed to be enjoying the waves.
>
> Anthea Fleming
>
>
>
>> On 14/12/2013 3:07 PM, Jenny Stiles wrote:
>> Hi list,
>> I thought you might enjoy this clip of Black Swans surfing! I don’t think I
>> have seen Swans on the open ocean, much less enjoying the waves!
>> http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/12/14/07/13/surfing-swans-astonish-gold-coast-swimmers
>>
>> From Jenny Stiles
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
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