I worked in Canbera from April to September '13 and drove through to the airport whilst I was working in Parkes.
I haven't been back for 7 months so it was time for a visit - truth be known Shorty has posted pics of Powerful Owl, Australain Owlet-Nightjar and Pilotbird being 3 birds that I have not seen.
I made arrangements with Shorty to be a birding guide and hotelier for the weekend and travel plans were organsised. I left Mackay about 5 pm on Friday and touched down in Canberra about 10pm.
We were out early on Saturday to the bowls club to see the PO but then dipped at Campbell Park with the A O-N; Shorty (the guide) suggested that the overcast weather meant they were staying inlog; I resorted to Thornbill pics.
A white-rumped Sandpiper has been seen at Nowra so we go for a drive but unfortunately I dipped (starting to question the weekend by now). Shorty however got 4 ticks.
Day 1 - PC 1 tick, Shorty (the guide) 4 ticks
Out again early on Sunday and drove to Tidbinbilla; interesting as we drove through the low-lying fog to the hgher slope; Shorty (the guide) quickly had us walking the Lyrebird Trail to the fallen log where he has sene the Pilotbird; i check its call on the app and quickly we have a visitor and then a second and then a third; he's a good guide; the highlight was the Pilotbird that jumped onto the stump to look at me and gave Shorty great pics (and I thought that this was my weekend).
Back to the city and another view of the PO; this time with possum in claw; back to Campbell Park and today we got great pics of male & female A O-N but not of the 2 young.
The to Jerabomberra Wetlands for great views of Spotless Crake.
Day 2 - PC 2 ticks, Shorty 0 ticks
Weekend - PC 3 ticks, Shorty (the guide) 4 ticks
(Given the new ticks that Shorty got I asked for my guiding fee back)
Wow, nice sightings Pacman! Particularly the Powerful Owl and the Owlet Nightjars.
Shame about the Powerful Owl lurking right up the top of the trees though!
Oooh I'm jealous, lol. I would happily pay one of my kidneys (or someones kidney) to see just the Aus Owlet-Nightjar Peter - it looks like he/she must have ducked back into the hollow before the second shot and smoothed out the do for the paparazzi
, so cute! What a bumper birding weekend for both of you. Yeah, I'd be getting back that fee of that shady Shorty character too, the nerve, haha.
West Coast Tasmania
Lachlan - thanks
Annie J - I used frequent flyer points as much easier than kidneys; AO-N #1 is the male and #2 is the female
Peter
No need to sell a Kidney Annie, just get a cheap flight to Canberra.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
I've only just found this. Great read!
Samford Valley Qld.
and the PO has hit the national news - http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/03/04/03/29/owl-pictured-devouring-ringtail-possum-at-canberra-park
Peter
I have seen lots of media (traditional and social) about the Powerful Owl - looks like he is going to have lots of people to show off too!
And you met him/her before he/she was a star
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Are we getting to the point where there is so little wildlife left that when a wildlife event occurs it's so rare that there's a rush of humans to observe & TV stations to report? Will the human interest translate into awareness & action to protect & restore habitats? (There was no mention of the need to restore habitat in the above media report). Or are humans merely satisfying their curiosity? Or will these rushes of human interest contribute to the killing off of what wildlife remains? Are humans complacent about our wildlife because they know that once it's gone they can turn to an animated film or a cute computer game to satisfy their need for the natural? These are the sorts of questions that almost keep me awake at night.
'Breaking News: Owl Eats!'
Indeed, sounds like a symptom of nature deficient disorder being present in the general public to me.
Perhaps to get a better nights sleep you could ask these questions.
Does the fact that this Owl has taken up residence so close to the centre of Canberra mean that the environment is indeed in good condition ?
Due to the media report many more people are going to see the Owl and in turn are getting into conversation with the birding community present and are they going away with a new sense of the importance of the environment and our wildlife ?
I have spoken to people at this site myself and have tried to educate them on this Owl and wildlife in general and to see there faces when they see this Mighty bird i feel that they go away with a different view than what they had before, but i do see my glass as half full.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
I've seen Powls in stark urban environments in exotic trees without any nearby remnant or reveg vegetation, so i guess they are pretty adaptable, perhaps irruptive into areas where human mediated habitat modification has facilitated a population explosion of possums.
i see these media reports as part of an ongoing trivialisation of our wildlife, viewing them as entertainment for our amusement rather than essential components of the environment of which we are part.
Since I have been birding (Oct '10) I have had the opportunity to move to various locations thorugh my work - Northern Rivers NSW, Port Macquarie NSW, Gosford NSW, Canberra ACT, Parkes NSW and now Mackay Qld
I suggest that without exception there are many people in each of those places now looking at our Australian birdlife and thinking on species level rather than 'its a bird'.
The more people that we get interested in birds and the environment the better chance that we have of saving that environment.
Peter
I guess you see your glass as half empty then?
While the media do it to sell air time, the result from more people getting involved should be a plus i would think.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
You have a point, Shorty. I go through these phases of feeling overwhelmed by the devastation wrought by humans. However, I'd like to think that rather than having a glass half full or half empty I can be as realistic & as accurate as possible about what is happening with our environment. Yes, it's great if people can improve their awareness & understanding of our wildlife. And I certainly overlooked the possibility that Canberra habitat is extensive & healthy enough to support a Powerful Owl.
I think I'll sleep more easily tonight. Thanks.
Wow there would be many ticks for me in that lot.
Remind me to get in touch with you Shorty if I ever go to Canberra.
I don't care if you even get more ticks than me . . . . lol
What a great weekend, thanks for sharing
Would be happy to take you around if you come down, i don't recommend Winter though, Peter was not impressed with the white stuff on the ground
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Will hold you to that Shorty.
If you are ever up in Brisbane be sure to let me or Reflex know, we'd be more than happy to show you around.
Cheers
Devster