Floods

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dwatsonbb
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Floods

My thoughts are with those who may be affected by the current flood situation.

Please stay safe and as dry as you can.

sue818
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Well said, Dale. A terrible time for many but make staying safe and dry a priority. Goods can be replaced but we would miss our friends. We are thinking of you.

Woko
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Indeed, yes. 

Woko
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I hope all BirdsinBackyarders are safe in these flooding times. 

sue818
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My feet are still dry here at home, Woko... Lane Cove River would have to come up a very long way. However, I am glad that my travelling is done as the roads in NSW and Qld were very damaged by floods and rain. 

I echo your sentiments, stay safe friends.

Woko
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It seems you timed well your traveling, Sue. 

I'm wondering about the flood effects on bird populations. I guess water birds will be doing well. Where I live there have been early appearances of Straw-necked Ibis. They usually don't turn up on the neighborhood paddocks until early November. However, there has been a marked decline in breeding of a number of species such as New Holland Honeyeater, Australian Magpie & Willy Wagtail. We haven't had floods where I live on the south eastern slopes of the Mt Lofty Ranges so there may (or may not be) some other reason for the decline in breeding. 

sue818
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Agrree, good timing on my part!

I was travelling earlier than usual and went west then north which is the opposite to my normal plan. So it is hard to say why numbers were down but they were compared to recent years. I put it down to a few things: rain meant food and water more wide-spread, so birds not concentrated; extended & wet weather so few blossoms; insect numbers still low. The trees may be waterlogged with so much flooding and not sure if that will reduce flowering. Do the seeds float away when crops are flattened? Perhaps when the rain finally stops, the birds will start breeding more. Keep us up to date, Woko.

Woko
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I like your thinking, sue. Waterlogging would reduce flowering & subsequent fruiting & seeding, I imagine, so there would be less insects around. That might explain the early presence of Straw-necked Ibis where I live as the Ibis may be finding the environment here more too their liking - at least for the time being. 

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