April 2014

This months report could be titled "Where have all the birdies gone?".  As will be detailed below the month has been notable for the considerable decrease in diversity compared to the previous month (and to the month of April in previous years).  Possibly this has been due to the weather making the birds less likely to be observed - skulking in shelter rather than out and about.

It seemed worth exploring this a little bit so I have compared the species found in April for the last two years.  In summary:

The three species added in 2014 - Powerful Owl, Red-capped Robin and Yellow Thornbill - are all unusual for the area, although the Owl and the Robin have been regular this year.

Of the 18 species MIA this year:

• 5 are waterbirds: possibly the widespread rains have caused them to head for other areas rather than the drought refuges in this area where we have observed the birds.  (Although out of area I have noticed a great reduction in the number and diversity of birds at Queanbeyan Sewage Works in the last 2 months.)
• 4 species are diurnal raptors, suggesting that their prey species are in short supply.  This is probably good for those who don't like mice!
• 3 species are nocturnal raptors which suggests that we were very lucky in 2013 rather than there being a problem in 2014.  This might also be related to a deficit in the rodent department.
• Of the remaining 6 species, 4 are relatively unusual leaving two - Golden-headed Cisticola and Tree Martin - as surprising absences.

Thanks to observers in Wanna-wanna and Widgiewa Roads, Pony Place,and the Hoskinstown Plain.   Please advise any interesting sightings to me at martinflab@gmail.com.

1  Waterbirds:  Black Swan;  Australian Shelduck; Australian Wood Duck; Australian Shoveler; Grey Teal;  Pacific Black Duck; Hardhead; Australasian Grebe;  Little Pied Cormorant;  White‑necked Heron;  White‑faced Heron; Australian White Ibis; Eurasian Coot; Masked Lapwing; 

2 Birds of Prey:   Wedge-tailed Eagle; Nankeen Kestrel; 

3 Parrots and Relatives:  Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo; Gang‑gang Cockatoo;  Galah;  Sulphur‑crested Cockatoo; Crimson Rosella; Eastern Rosella; Red-rumped parrot

4 Kingfishers and other non-songbirds: Common Bronzewing; Crested Pigeon; Tawny Frogmouth; Powerful Owl;Laughing Kookaburra; 

5 Honeyeaters: Eastern Spinebill; Yellow-faced Honeyeater; White-eared Honeyeater; Noisy Miner; Red Wattlebird; New Holland Honeyeater; Brown‑headed Honeyeater; 

6 Flycatchers and similar species: Golden Whistler;Rufous Whistler; Grey Shrike-thrush;  Grey Fantail; WillieWagtail;  Magpie-lark; Scarlet Robin;Red‑capped Robin, Flame Robin; Eastern Yellow Robin; Welcome Swallow

7 Thornbills, Finches and similar species:  Superb Fairy-wren; White-browed Scrubwren; Weebill;  Striated Thornbill; Yellow Thornbill; Yellow‑rumped Thornbill; Buff‑rumped Thornbill; Brown Thornbill; Spotted Pardalote; Striated Pardalote; Silvereye; Double‑barred Finch; Red‑browed Finch; Diamond Firetail; House Sparrow; European Goldfinch

8 Other, smaller birds:  White-throated Treecreeper; Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike;  Dusky Woodswallow; Skylark; 

Common Blackbird; Common Starling; Mistletoebird; Australasian  Pipit;

9  Other, larger birds: Grey Butcherbird; Australian Magpie; Pied Currawong;Grey Currawong; Australian Raven; Little Raven; White-winged Chough