Hi all
Crows appear to be winning the battle against Cane Toads, at least at our
in-laws' property in the Maranoa abt 90km east of Roma.
During our latest visit before Xmas, there was a noticeable decrease in
toads v frogs, by calls at least. They have been totally dominant out there
for years.
Every morning a Crow actively hunts them out of a hole beneath a tree in
the homestead garden and eats them belly-first.
Crows are apparently applying this technique to other reptiles and
amphibians as I found a tree frog and a dragon lizard that had been eaten
the same telltale way, presumably by Crows.
Cane Toads have been rife in the area for a long time. Step on a piece of
caked mud by a dry dam and dozens of toadlets would scurry out. But they
were strangely quiet this time, and we were treated to an amazing frog
symphony each night after the recent rains. Two sounded like they were
having an aurgument - one kept responding 'You're wrong, you're wrong -
wrong, wrong , wrong'. Hilarious.
I also saw a meteorite explode while out listening to them one starry night.
Goannas, which have been absent for some time, are also returning. I saw a
magnificent Sand Goanna cross the Roma-Taroom Rd nr Mooga Mooga Ck. Just
missed him, thankfully.
I know all the above is only anecdotal but the signs are encouraging.
Shane B
Brisbane
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