Birds in our backyards
Thanks, Mary V, for pointing out, the Birdlife Australia summer 'Birds in Backyards' survey is in, and the winners are in the table below. (Reporting rate is the percentage of reports that mentioned the species.)
Amongst the usual suspects sits the unexpected Eastern Koel. Birdlife reports that in recent years these have extended their southern migration from Nowra in NSW well into Victoria. This, plus their distinctive Kooo-el call (that can be heard over some distance) has moved them into contention.
| Common Name | Reporting Rate |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Lorikeet | 43% |
| Magpie-lark | 33% |
| Australian Magpie | 31% |
| Sulphur-crested Cockatoo | 26% |
| Willie Wagtail | 26% |
| Noisy Miner | 25% |
| Common Myna | 23% |
| Galah | 22% |
| Spotted Dove | 21% |
| Eastern Koel | 21% |
I am not at all surprised the Koel is on the list, as I have been associating their very distinctive call with summer for many years now.
There's also disturbing news in Saturday's Age about 'Aggro native birds' squeezing out smaller species - let's hope the planting we are doing along the rail line provides more cover and protection for those smaller birds so they stick around.
Member discussion