NSW - Charles Sturt University - 2017 / Xavier & Diamond

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Update - And she’s off

Published 13 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross

Marragaay follows in the steps of her little brother  at 6 12 this morning.   She also flew really well, over and through the eucs, where she seemed to be followed by parents, then one of them (hard to tell from here) seemed to fly between the eucs and the pine windbreak and then they all disappeared  to the left of the left of the screen (towards the trees near the car park).

It’s very hard to be sure, and you’ll have to look very closely, but it did look as if M seemed to be flying one minute, then on the ground in the next (with the two adults still flying) on the lawn to the bottom left of your screen.  Anyway here’s the video.    I have to rush, but on my way out, I’ll have a look around for her to make sure she is not still on that lawn (if she is, I’ll put her in a tree).

But what a flight!

As soon as I find the birds (which I will), I’ll put up some shots.


Thar she blows

VIDEO 20171113 and Marragaay too
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171113-and-Marragaay-too.avi

Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/and-shes-off/

[burdi]

Update - Bali bolts

Published 12 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross

As predicted, Bali went first and flew amazingly well, right over the eucaltyp trees, then seems to swing over to the right over the pine shelterbelt

Bali is off – brilliant flight



VIDEO  20171112 Bali bolts
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171112-Bali-bolts.avi

You have to look very closely to see Bali against the eucalypt trees

There has been almost nothing to eat all day for these birds and this seems to be a deliberate ploy to encourage fledging.  There is plenty of prey around at the moment as the young starlings are out and about and very vulnerable (and probably tastier than those stringy adults.

Just an hour earlier, the two of them were interacting on the ledge in a way that gave me a feeling that something was going to happen – either a nice plump pigeon was going to arise OR one of them was going to go.

Bored and hungry



VIDEO 20171112 bored and hungry
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171112-bored-and-hungry.avi

It’s funny because I have my good camera with me today and was going to try and get a snap of the two of them on the ledge…..but I had a fall on the trail at Mt. Canobolas, so came back to work early to lick my wounds, but …aha.. too late

Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/bali-bolts/

[burdi]

Hi, Alison, it’s nice to see that Bali flew out so beautifully!

Marragaay seemed a bit carried away with pestering her little brother yesterday. She kept pecking at him, putting her foot on his face, etc., shortly before he flew. But she sure did appear upset and lonely after Bali left the nest box, and I presume both are missing not being able to snuggle up with each other at night.

Bali appeared to fly quite a distance, so I hope he is safe and that Cilla (or someone else) will soon be able to spot him; unfortunately, Cilla may not have much help.

And today, November 13, 2017, Marragaay is also gone. She must have left soon after 0600 hrs AEST … but somehow I missed it … no idea if she slipped or flew, though I hope she somehow made it to somewhere safe!

[Alison]

I am pretty sure that Marragaay has also fledged. She spent the night asleep in the nest, with Diamond sleeping in the nest entrance. Marragaay was still in the nest in the very early morning, and now there is no sign of her. With the live stream not working 99.9% of the time, it is impossible to say exactly when she fledged.

[Alison]

Hi burdi,

Little chick fledged some time during the afternoon of November 12 in Australia. Big chick is still in the nest, doing a lot of wing flapping and looking quite upset about being alone, with no parents visible and little brother out of the nest.

[burdi]

Update - Marragaay steps up to the plate

Published 9 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross

Well the ledge anyway.   Here here she has a major flap, then joins little brother on the ledge for the first time.  As Sue has pointed out, Bali has been much more adventurous: flapping on the ledge, even doing pirouettes.   I’m sure he’ll go first, possibly this weekend.


One step for Marragaay to join her brother on the ledge

VIDEO  20171109 Marragaay joins Bali on ledge after major flap
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171109-Marragaay-joins-Bali-on-ledge-after-major-flap.avi

I still can’t get over the size difference between these two.  Bali is really small, but getting a bit to eat – he even grabbed a prey before Marragaay (a scrap, rather than a whole bird, admittedly).    Prey has included two rock pigeons (both banded) plus one native crested pigeon (I think), starlings (one still alive that got chased around the box..not sure if this was a test for the youngsters or not, but they didn’t take the bait.  Xavier grabbed it and took off with it again)  and a few I can’t work out, but medium sized passerines, possibly wattlebird.  I do wish they would leave the heads on!

Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/marragaay-steps-up-to-the-plate/

The video link is for downloading Cilla's video in case of problems accessing the website.

[burdi]

Bali and Marragaay are getting along very nicely today, so I hope they don't get separated too soon. However, they're sure becoming interested in learning about life beyond the nest box, especially Bali! But even if they do wait for the right time to fledge, I don't think we'll be seeing them much longer.

[burdi]

Update - A starling breakfast, again

Published 8 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross

Now (this morning) almost entirely in juvenile plumage, with the box gathering their baby fluff, our two youngsters will be off fairly soon.  My guess is that our baby, Bali, the male, will probably go first and that they will both go next week or weekend.  Bali’s plumage is more advanced than Marragaay’s and he seems to be without fear.  I just hope he doesn’t go TOO soon and end up in the car park (which wouldn’t be the first time).   Last year they all flew off beautifully, but sometimes they just glide to the ground.   Hard to pick.

Here Xavier, true to form, has brought in a starling, which is grabbed by big sister, Marragaay, with Bali rather forlornly reaching out to Dad as he scampers past.


A starling breakfast

VIDEO:  20171108 star bfast nest
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171108-star-bfast-nest.avi

VIDEO 20171108 star bfast ledge
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171108-star-bfast-ledge.avi

I’m two days behind in my breeding behaviour recording and our nest cam is only storing three-four days at present, so the pressure is on, and I’m trying desperately to catch up.    But I have other deadlines too, so it all seems to be heading to a cliff at present!

Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/a-starling-breakfast-again/

I've added download links for the videos which may be helpful for anyone having problems accessing the CSU blog.

[burdi]

Update - Transforming in looks and behaviour

Published 4 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross

Chicks are almost in juvenile plumage…just a few days now and they will have shed most of their white fluff.  They have spending much of their time flapping around the box until they collapsed in slumped huddle.

I have to feel a bit sorry about the rosella population, which is getting a bit hammered, particularly by Diamond.  Fortunately, eastern rosellas, her favoured prey, are very common in this university farm and around and are considered indicators of degraded woodland, which is a good description of the remnant woodland around here.   Crimson rosellas are occasionally taken, too, but are found less often in the really open country.

Here Xavier brings in an eastern rosella, then drops in when Diamond arrives, and then she leaves with the prey (bringing it back after a few minutes munchies out of reach of the chicks) and is chased by X, with quite a dramatic double exit.  This happened yesterday afternoon.

VIDEO 20171103 black lump nest X and Di with chicks LEDGE
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171103-black-lump-nest-X-and-Di-with-chicks-LEDGE.avi

VIDEO 20171103 black lump nest X and Di with chicks
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171103-black-lump-nest-X-and-Di-with-chicks.avi



This morning, a crimon rosella (suspected) is brought in by Diamond, but Bali misses out after Marragaay grabs the prize.



VIDEO  20171104 suspect CR family interaction LEDGE
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171104-suspect-CR-family-interaction-LEDGE.avi

Diamond comes back later and gives him a consolation prize.

I have a full day Central West Environment meeting tomorrow in Lithgow, so will leave you in peace and hope that the webcams hold up.  But just on more piccie for you of Xavier ready to make his exit:


Xavier ‘time to go!’

Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/transforming-in-looks-and-behaviour/

I've added download links for the videos which may be helpful for anyone having problems accessing the CSU blog.

[burdi]

You may or may not have noticed that I've been posting fewer pictures here. Maybe I'll mention more on that another time.

Update - More milestones

Published 2 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross

One of our chicks, Bali, took his first steps to the ledge.   I’m assuming Bali is a male and Marragaay a female, due to size difference, which, at this age, should be starting to be marked, although it is odd that he was such a slow developer as males usually develop more quickly as females (and often fledge first, sometimes when I don’t think they are ready…but what do I know!).


First trip to the ledge

VIDEO  20171102 1st trip to ledge

The other behaviour that is starting to occur more often now is the tugging of food, both between the chicks and between adult and chick.   As well as the tugging of Mum’s tail!


What happened to the sharing economy!

VIDEO  20171102 please share

Marragaay won this round, but Bali got fed shortly after by Diamond.  If there is insufficient prey, then the adults ensure that at least one chick will survive by focusing on the larger, more aggressive chick, but there should be plenty of prey around, and the juvenile starlings should start appearing in the diet soon (at least in Xavier’s clutch, Diamond is showing her usual disdain for these skinny pests).   Bali is definitely getting less than Marragaay, but he is quiet feisty and when there is a larger prey like a pigeon, he always gets plenty, so I think he’ll be okay.

And here it the tussle between chick and adults



VIDEO: 20171102 star tugged

Prey has included the usual starlings,pigeons, several eastern rosellas and other parrots, possible a superb parrot (threatened species) and many others that I haven’t been able to identify.  It certainly helps when the prey comes in intact, rather than headless, tailless, wingless and plucked!

Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/more-milestones/

[burdi]

Update - Chicks being fed at 4 weeks

Published 31 October, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross

Hard to believe – only two-three weeks to go and then they will be off.

Here are some shots of our two youngsters, Marragaay and Bali, 30 and 28 days old respectively, being fed by Diamond after a prey drop by the father (Xavier) (the first is a pigeon; second probably a starling).


Pigeon breakfast

VIDEO   20171031 chicks fed at 4 weeks)

And a bit later this morning.  It’s bit hard to be definite because of the distortion with the close range camera, but I’m pretty sure Bali goes first for this feed.


Bali goes first

VIDEO   20171031 Bali goes first…short

Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/chicks-being-fed-at-4-weeks/

[burdi]

I guess I could post this under Melbourne but that wouldn’t seem right because this is a quote from the CSU blog, and Cilla is simply mentioning Melbourne and considering the possibility of collaboration between the sites, so I’m posting it here.

Update - Melbourne breeding season over

Published 28 October, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross

I went to have a look to see what was happening at Collins Street, but there is simply a notice to say that the 2nd chick has died.   It may simply be that the heat stress just took longer to take affect in the other chick.

I couldn’t find a blog like this to look at the history of the season – is there one?   There could be some useful collaboration between the sites.

I am currently in Sydney, but Scylla has put up an excellent video under the last heading ‘interaction’ on this blog, so if you haven’t already seen this, I suggest you head there next.

Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/melbourne-breeding-season-over/

[burdi]

Update - Interaction

Published 26 October, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross

I don’t quite know what this behaviour means, not speaking peregrine, but often when there has been no prey drop for a while, there is some interaction between the adult, particularly the female and the chicks, sort of ‘pretend feeding’ perhaps.  Here is a short example.



VIDEO 20171026 interaction Di chicks

I’ve put some longer videos for Scott to turn into youtubes, but I’m off to conference/AGM in Sydney (Nature Conservation Council, of which I’m the NSW West representative).

Other items to note.  Xavier brought in a live starling this morning (poor thing was not having a good time).  Diamond is still hoeing into the rosella population, mostly plucked.

Both chicks are getting fed, despite the size difference, although Bali nearly always feeds second.   Here one of the chicks is unwilling to give prey back.

VIDEO  20171025 Give it back!


 
AND  Some other interesting behaviour, when Diamond appeared to ‘rouse’ the chicks from their slumber, but for no apparent reason – no prey was available, but it was morning.  Video too long, but I’ve sent it to Scott.


Wake up, sleepheads!

I’ll be able to check for comments over the weekend and can start new thread if necessary, but cannot access images or recording software.

Cheers

Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/interaction/

[burdi]

Update - First step to independence

Published 25 October, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross

Xavier brought in a starling this morning and just dropped it at the chicks’ feet.   Without much hesitation, the chicks grabbed it and split it (hard to see) and started eating. Then Marragaay took a few steps with his treasure away from Bali.

20171025 Marragaay with his prize



I have to go to Sydney tomorrow, but will try and do catch up in the morning before I go and will dropbox some videos for Scott to load to youtube before I go.     We’ve been talking about the streaming problems and will start looking for sponsor so we can upgrade.  I’m giving a talk to Rotary in a couple of weeks and they have always been supportive, so fingers crossed.

Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/first-step-to-independence/

[burdi]

Update - Oh no, not starling aGAIN

Published 23 October, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross

There’s a clear pattern emerging here now that Diamond is doing more of the hunting (I’m assuming this because of her long absences and the fact that the bird is now often being brought in whole, even if plucked).  I don’t think there is much, if anything, in the stash at present.   Xavier catches starlings, and occasionally other passerines such as honeyeaters and the odd pigeon.  Diamond seems to turn up her nose at starlings and is mainly bringing in large parrots and pigeons.

Here Xavier has brought in a whole adult starling (for once, easy to identify with its bright yellow bill, shining coat and pink legs);  Diamond grabs it and takes off with it, as if to say, oh, no not Sturnus vulgaris again.  Actually she’s probably just taking it away to pluck.

This happened about 3 pm yesterday afternoon; I’ll hopefully catch up tomorrow.

It’s always good to get them all together.   You can just see the tail feathers coming through.   




Here he comes, sweeties, but oh no, it’s starling aGAIN.

Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/oh-no-not-starling-again/

If you check the above link you will find I’ve omitted a photo and a video.