Just thought I would ask if anyone knows about whistling ducks. These are the ones normally found in north Qld around Townsville, however, for the past 12 months we have had upto 100 at a time visit our dam here in Ipswich.
We have also had one pair breed here with a small clutch of two appearing out of the long grass around the dam today (Boxing Day). Is this type of duck normally this far south?
We have been here 5 years and the ducks have just started to stay here.
Any response would be greatly appreciated.
I don't know much about whistling ducks, nippy, but I'd say their range is probably extending at present due to the good rains you've had in Qld over the last 2 years.
Thanks for your reply Woko.
That is what we've been thinking. We have only been at this property for 5 years and before that live in Ipswich Central. Although we drive through the local area (ipswich - Gatton) quite regularly over the past 20 years we have never seen (noticed??) these plumed Whistling Ducks.
To add more fuel to the fire; we also had small band (upto 10) of the Wandering Whistling Ducks on our dam as well. We used our bird books to identify them.
We are hoping these birds will stay. Not sure if this next statement is good or bad however, all the local birds, including the ducks (4 different types), are coming to properties around ours to get free feed from our chickens.
The good thing about it is there is never ant excess feed on the ground to attract mice or rats as all the wild birds clean up every scrap of seed the chooks leave.
nippy
Interesting observations, nippy. Like good business people, those birds up your way are great opportunists. And it looks like a duck or two a day keeps the mice & rats away.