Regarding Andrew’s note about Topknot Pigeons. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve seen unusually large numbers of Topknot Pigeons in the Sunshine Coast lowlands, especially about the Maroochy River and its tributaries. I suspect it has something to do with camphor laurel fruiting and would appreciate any suggestions. Also, last night I had great views of a Sooty Owl in the Mapleton Forest Reserve. Greg Roberts
“”Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 19:35:39 +1000 From: “Andrew Thelander”
Hi all
A tour through the Mt Mellum area of the Sunshine Coast hinterland today resulted in some nice sightings including at least ten Barred cuckoo-shrikes in a fruiting Ficus obliqua (my spies tell me there were double that number in the tree just 2 weeks ago). Also observed a male Regent bowerbird feeding in a Polyscias elegans. Other species seen included Grey goshawk, Emerald dove, Catbird, King parrot, Brown cuckoo-dove, Varied triller and Chestnut breasted manikins feeding young.”” Back in Nambour, there was a flock of 30 Topknot pigeons.
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When we first moved to our property, near Bulahdelah, NSW, one of the first things I did was pull out six Camphor Laurels that the previous owner had planted. We still have one very large one in our garden that is a bit big for me to tackle. We have planted strangler figs to try and smother it. It is visited regularly by White-headed Pigeons and occasionally by Regent Bowerbirds. I have never seen Topknot Pigeons in the tree, although they fly over sometimes. Paul Osborn
Here in Gloucester mid-north coast NSW we are invaded by Topknot Pigeons in April and May each year, as in the valleys further north they come for the camphor laurel and privet fruits. We also have a large population of White-headed Pigeons, Satin Bowerbirds and Figbirds. There is little hope of eliminating these weedy fruiting trees so I don’t think the birds will be threatened. The river banks are in places thickly lined with privet but we don’t have the number of camphor laurel that the Richmond and Clarence valleys do, and our council have reduced the number of camphor laurels in the parks.
However I spend far too much time pulling up seedlings of both species in my garden, thanks to Pied Currawongs, bowerbirds and White-headed Pigeons, the latter species is increasing in numbers and remains resident throughout the year. The currawongs arrive, like the Topknots, in April, and cause havoc with our resident Little Raven population, causing a flurry of friction over territory rights, until they adjust to each other.
Other species that are increasing are Galahs and Common Mynas. A friend reported to day she saw a small hawk (possibly a Hobby) catch and kill a myna yesterday. Knocked it to the ground and then dispatched it. Hurrah!
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In the Clarence Valley large numbers (hundreds) of Topknot Pigeons arrive in the cooler months to feast on the Camphor Laurel fruits. They may rely on the Camphor Laurels at this time of the year but traditionally there would have been native species to provide the winter food. Liz Huxtable (nee Date) and Harry Recher carried out a study of rainforest pigeons on the NSW North Coast some years back and concluded that Camphor Laurels were essential to the maintenance of pigeon populations, at least in the short term. The Camphor Laurel is now classified as a weed and is being controlled in many parts of the north coast. I support this as the Camphor Laurel invades natural bushland and competes with native trees. We have ring-barked most Camphor Laurels in the Coutts Crossing area and rather than losing our White-headed Pigeons we have not seen a reduction in numbers post Camphor Laurel. It is important to protect the rainforest remnants that still survive on the NSW North Coast and to promote the planting of local provenance rainforest fruiting plants in cleared areas.
Despite the attraction of the Camphor Laurel to Topknot Pigeons they do eat many other (native) species of rainforest fruits and I am confident that they will survive in reasonable numbers post Camphor Laurel. It should be stated that the super-abundance of Camphor Laurels on the NSW North Coast means that they will still be around for a long time yet despite efforts to eradicate them.
Greg Clancy Ecologist and Birding Guide Coutts Crossing NSW
Greg, I’ve seen small groups of Topknots around Maleny a few times this month. Also saw two flocks totaling 80+ flying north over Bruce Highway (within 1km) at North Arm last Wed. 20th April. Haven’t seen any perched so no idea what feeding on.
Russ Lamb, Maleny,SEQ
There is remarkable dissonance between the view put forward on the above web site that Camphor Laurel is a severe threat to birds and suggestions that availability of Camphor Laurel as a food source may explain recent increases in range & abundance of a number of frugivorous birds.
There were unsuccessful state&federal nominations of Camphor Laurel as a threatening process (presumably by the author of the above web site) and the reasons for rejecting the nomination give a rather different assessment of the evidence to camphorlaurel.com: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/ktp/pubs/cinnamomum-camphora-listing.pdf http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/CamphorLaurelKtp.htm
The archive contains various reports of birds feeding in Camphor Laurels e.g.: http://bioacoustics.cse.unsw.edu.au/birding-aus/1999-07/msg00234.html
Andrew ===============================
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Safrole also functions as a natural pesticide. I don’t know if safrole molecules are broken down in the gut of birds, but if it is absorbed across the digestive tract intact and isn’t broken down by the liver, then it may act as a natural control for internal and external parasites.
Carl, personally I have no past knowledge or experience of amphetamine manufacture for it to become rusty.
Stephen Ambrose Ryde, NSW
One of the chemotypes of Camphor Laurel contain reasonable levels of Safrole, which is a precursor in the manufacture of MDMA (Ecstasy). Perhaps there is something in the gut chemistry or flora which finishes the job. I must admit though, my knowledge of amphetamine manufacture is a bit rusty these days.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
I agree – it does point to that and I am sure there are studies showing that topknots do eat camphor laurel and disperse the seed (one such study was at the Big Scrub in northern NSW). My books are all packed away at the moment but I googled “topknot pigeon camphor laurel” and found this posted on http://www.camphorlaurel.com http://www.camphorlaurel.com/
Topknot Pigeons; instances involving multiple-death events have been repeatedly observed on and near roadsides, in both Lismore and Kyogle Shire, but always being found dead directly underneath the canopies of ripe-fruiting Camphor laurel trees; in one case, only Camphor laurel berries were found in the stomach and crop upon dissection. Some birds retained distinctly purple-stained beaks. These are the first records of this, the largest of all native rainforest pigeon species succumbing to the toxins contained in the berries and seeds of Camphor laurel. Other reports, by notable bush regenerators, and seed collectors . centre on the occasional apparent ‘drunkenness’ caused to many species of native pigeons, after gorging themselves on (excess volumes) of ripe or over-ripe Camphor laurel berries.
It would be interesting to review the primary data for the above – particularly any multiple death events. I am not aware of any such discoveries on the Sunshine Coast.
Andrew
_____
Sent: Sunday, 24 April 2011 4:39 PM Cc: birding-aus@lists.vicnet.net.au
Andrew
All of this points circumstantially but pointedly to the Topknots feeding on camphor laurels. As with the White-headed Pigeons, these introduced pests may in fact be in important part of their diet in this era of depleted habitat.
Greg
Sent: Sunday, 24 April 2011 4:27 PM Cc: ‘Birding-aus’
Hi Greg
I personally can’t recall ever seeing Topknots feeding in camphor laurels but that is most likely me not getting out birding enough! I suspect you are right as the camphor laurels are fruiting and most of the figs I came across yesterday weren’t. Beside the tennis centre in Nambour, there is a huge camphor laurel that fills with White-headed pigeons when in fruit. They were there yesterday with the normal figbirds – the flock of topknots settled into some eucalypts several hundred metres away. I was waiting for them to fly in for a feed but they didn’t. I postulate that their willingness to put up with human activity in the vicinity depends a lot on how hungry they are. I believe some turned up in an orchard in Tasmania and could be approached very closely simply because they were ravenous. At times I have seen them in a forest setting and they have been quite skittish. At other times, I have been able to stand near the base of a tree and observe them feeding in it (e.g. the famous Pigeonberry ash tree near Traveston).
Perhaps others may have some personal insights to share? Is camphor laurel a food of preference for topknots or just something to fall back on until the natives start fruiting? How approachable are topknots? Have they ever visited a feeding table (like white-headed pigeons readily do)?
Cheers
Andrew
_____
[mailto:birding-aus-bounces@lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Greg Roberts Sent: Sunday, 24 April 2011 1:01 PM
Regarding Andrew’s note about Topknot Pigeons. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve seen unusually large numbers of Topknot Pigeons in the Sunshine Coast lowlands, especially about the Maroochy River and its tributaries. I suspect it has something to do with camphor laurel fruiting and would appreciate any suggestions. Also, last night I had great views of a Sooty Owl in the Mapleton Forest Reserve. Greg Roberts
“”Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 19:35:39 +1000 Message-ID: <201104230935.p3N9ZbEQ004703@mail5.tpg.com.au> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”us-ascii”
Hi all
A tour through the Mt Mellum area of the Sunshine Coast hinterland today resulted in some nice sightings including at least ten Barred cuckoo- shrikes in a fruiting Ficus obliqua (my spies tell me there were double that number in the tree just 2 weeks ago). Also observed a male Regent bowerbird feeding in a Polyscias elegans. Other species seen included Grey goshawk, Emerald dove, Catbird, King parrot, Brown cuckoo-dove, Varied triller and Chestnut breasted manikins feeding young.”” Back in Nambour, there was a flock of 30 Topknot pigeons.
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Andrew
All of this points circumstantially but pointedly to the Topknots feeding on camphor laurels. As with the White-headed Pigeons, these introduced pests may in fact be in important part of their diet in this era of depleted habitat.
Greg
Sent: Sunday, 24 April 2011 4:27 PM Cc: ‘Birding-aus’
Hi Greg
I personally can’t recall ever seeing Topknots feeding in camphor laurels but that is most likely me not getting out birding enough! I suspect you are right as the camphor laurels are fruiting and most of the figs I came across yesterday weren’t. Beside the tennis centre in Nambour, there is a huge camphor laurel that fills with White-headed pigeons when in fruit. They were there yesterday with the normal figbirds – the flock of topknots settled into some eucalypts several hundred metres away. I was waiting for them to fly in for a feed but they didn’t. I postulate that their willingness to put up with human activity in the vicinity depends a lot on how hungry they are. I believe some turned up in an orchard in Tasmania and could be approached very closely simply because they were ravenous. At times I have seen them in a forest setting and they have been quite skittish. At other times, I have been able to stand near the base of a tree and observe them feeding in it (e.g. the famous Pigeonberry ash tree near Traveston).
Perhaps others may have some personal insights to share? Is camphor laurel a food of preference for topknots or just something to fall back on until the natives start fruiting? How approachable are topknots? Have they ever visited a feeding table (like white-headed pigeons readily do)?
Cheers
Andrew
_____
[mailto:birding-aus-bounces@lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Greg Roberts Sent: Sunday, 24 April 2011 1:01 PM
Regarding Andrew’s note about Topknot Pigeons. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve seen unusually large numbers of Topknot Pigeons in the Sunshine Coast lowlands, especially about the Maroochy River and its tributaries. I suspect it has something to do with camphor laurel fruiting and would appreciate any suggestions. Also, last night I had great views of a Sooty Owl in the Mapleton Forest Reserve. Greg Roberts
“”Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 19:35:39 +1000 Message-ID: <201104230935.p3N9ZbEQ004703@mail5.tpg.com.au> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”us-ascii”
Hi all
A tour through the Mt Mellum area of the Sunshine Coast hinterland today resulted in some nice sightings including at least ten Barred cuckoo-shrikes in a fruiting Ficus obliqua (my spies tell me there were double that number in the tree just 2 weeks ago). Also observed a male Regent bowerbird feeding in a Polyscias elegans. Other species seen included Grey goshawk, Emerald dove, Catbird, King parrot, Brown cuckoo-dove, Varied triller and Chestnut breasted manikins feeding young.”” Back in Nambour, there was a flock of 30 Topknot pigeons.
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I agree – it does point to that and I am sure there are studies showing that topknots do eat camphor laurel and disperse the seed (one such study was at the Big Scrub in northern NSW). My books are all packed away at the moment but I googled “topknot pigeon camphor laurel” and found this posted on http://www.camphorlaurel.com http://www.camphorlaurel.com/
Topknot Pigeons; instances involving multiple-death events have been repeatedly observed on and near roadsides, in both Lismore and Kyogle Shire, but always being found dead directly underneath the canopies of ripe-fruiting Camphor laurel trees; in one case, only Camphor laurel berries were found in the stomach and crop upon dissection. Some birds retained distinctly purple-stained beaks. These are the first records of this, the largest of all native rainforest pigeon species succumbing to the toxins contained in the berries and seeds of Camphor laurel. Other reports, by notable bush regenerators, and seed collectors . centre on the occasional apparent ‘drunkenness’ caused to many species of native pigeons, after gorging themselves on (excess volumes) of ripe or over-ripe Camphor laurel berries.
It would be interesting to review the primary data for the above – particularly any multiple death events. I am not aware of any such discoveries on the Sunshine Coast.
Andrew
_____
Sent: Sunday, 24 April 2011 4:39 PM Cc: birding-aus@lists.vicnet.net.au
Andrew
All of this points circumstantially but pointedly to the Topknots feeding on camphor laurels. As with the White-headed Pigeons, these introduced pests may in fact be in important part of their diet in this era of depleted habitat.
Greg
Sent: Sunday, 24 April 2011 4:27 PM Cc: ‘Birding-aus’
Hi Greg
I personally can’t recall ever seeing Topknots feeding in camphor laurels but that is most likely me not getting out birding enough! I suspect you are right as the camphor laurels are fruiting and most of the figs I came across yesterday weren’t. Beside the tennis centre in Nambour, there is a huge camphor laurel that fills with White-headed pigeons when in fruit. They were there yesterday with the normal figbirds – the flock of topknots settled into some eucalypts several hundred metres away. I was waiting for them to fly in for a feed but they didn’t. I postulate that their willingness to put up with human activity in the vicinity depends a lot on how hungry they are. I believe some turned up in an orchard in Tasmania and could be approached very closely simply because they were ravenous. At times I have seen them in a forest setting and they have been quite skittish. At other times, I have been able to stand near the base of a tree and observe them feeding in it (e.g. the famous Pigeonberry ash tree near Traveston).
Perhaps others may have some personal insights to share? Is camphor laurel a food of preference for topknots or just something to fall back on until the natives start fruiting? How approachable are topknots? Have they ever visited a feeding table (like white-headed pigeons readily do)?
Cheers
Andrew
_____
[mailto:birding-aus-bounces@lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Greg Roberts Sent: Sunday, 24 April 2011 1:01 PM
Regarding Andrew’s note about Topknot Pigeons. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve seen unusually large numbers of Topknot Pigeons in the Sunshine Coast lowlands, especially about the Maroochy River and its tributaries. I suspect it has something to do with camphor laurel fruiting and would appreciate any suggestions. Also, last night I had great views of a Sooty Owl in the Mapleton Forest Reserve. Greg Roberts
“”Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 19:35:39 +1000 Message-ID: <201104230935.p3N9ZbEQ004703@mail5.tpg.com.au> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”us-ascii”
Hi all
A tour through the Mt Mellum area of the Sunshine Coast hinterland today resulted in some nice sightings including at least ten Barred cuckoo-shrikes in a fruiting Ficus obliqua (my spies tell me there were double that number in the tree just 2 weeks ago). Also observed a male Regent bowerbird feeding in a Polyscias elegans. Other species seen included Grey goshawk, Emerald dove, Catbird, King parrot, Brown cuckoo-dove, Varied triller and Chestnut breasted manikins feeding young.”” Back in Nambour, there was a flock of 30 Topknot pigeons.
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Hi Greg
I personally can’t recall ever seeing Topknots feeding in camphor laurels but that is most likely me not getting out birding enough! I suspect you are right as the camphor laurels are fruiting and most of the figs I came across yesterday weren’t. Beside the tennis centre in Nambour, there is a huge camphor laurel that fills with White-headed pigeons when in fruit. They were there yesterday with the normal figbirds – the flock of topknots settled into some eucalypts several hundred metres away. I was waiting for them to fly in for a feed but they didn’t. I postulate that their willingness to put up with human activity in the vicinity depends a lot on how hungry they are. I believe some turned up in an orchard in Tasmania and could be approached very closely simply because they were ravenous. At times I have seen them in a forest setting and they have been quite skittish. At other times, I have been able to stand near the base of a tree and observe them feeding in it (e.g. the famous Pigeonberry ash tree near Traveston).
Perhaps others may have some personal insights to share? Is camphor laurel a food of preference for topknots or just something to fall back on until the natives start fruiting? How approachable are topknots? Have they ever visited a feeding table (like white-headed pigeons readily do)?
Cheers
Andrew
_____
[mailto:birding-aus-bounces@lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Greg Roberts Sent: Sunday, 24 April 2011 1:01 PM
Regarding Andrew’s note about Topknot Pigeons. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve seen unusually large numbers of Topknot Pigeons in the Sunshine Coast lowlands, especially about the Maroochy River and its tributaries. I suspect it has something to do with camphor laurel fruiting and would appreciate any suggestions. Also, last night I had great views of a Sooty Owl in the Mapleton Forest Reserve. Greg Roberts
“”Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 19:35:39 +1000 Message-ID: <201104230935.p3N9ZbEQ004703@mail5.tpg.com.au> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”us-ascii”
Hi all
A tour through the Mt Mellum area of the Sunshine Coast hinterland today resulted in some nice sightings including at least ten Barred cuckoo-shrikes in a fruiting Ficus obliqua (my spies tell me there were double that number in the tree just 2 weeks ago). Also observed a male Regent bowerbird feeding in a Polyscias elegans. Other species seen included Grey goshawk, Emerald dove, Catbird, King parrot, Brown cuckoo-dove, Varied triller and Chestnut breasted manikins feeding young.”” Back in Nambour, there was a flock of 30 Topknot pigeons.
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Greg,
I have had many dealings with journalists in the past. Sufficient that I ended up refusing to write any more press releases for my employer, the reason being that the P Rs inevitably so mangled, that I found that I was wasting my employers time in writing them. The press releases were written at my employers normal Flesch-Kincaid level of 90 and a Gunning Fog Index of under 20.
As for the error being an easy mistake to make, I don’t think it was really a mistake, but more like sloppy research.
Perhaps I should stop watching “media Watch”. Pity, as it is probably my favourite TV show.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
Put a sock in it Carl. It’s an easy enough mistake to make. Forget the cheap shots at a profession I presume you know scant about, and enjoy the article for what it is.
“”Message: 5 Cc: birding-aus@vicnet.net.au Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Many residents of Sydney’s Upper North Shore would be saying ” More Power to the Owls”. Pity the journo could not get the spelling of Noisy Miner right. But then, hey, s/he/it is only a journalist and after all, they only deal with facts , not words.””
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Guys-It’s Easter Sunday, enough already John McVictor Harbor
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Carl
I’ve been reading today about the two journalists who have just lost their lives in Libya.
And it made me appreciate… just how small-minded some people can be.
Greg Roberts
Put a sock in it Carl. It’s an easy enough mistake to make. Forget the cheap shots at a profession I presume you know scant about, and enjoy the article for what it is.
“”Message: 5 Cc: birding-aus@vicnet.net.au Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Many residents of Sydney’s Upper North Shore would be saying ” More Power to the Owls”. Pity the journo could not get the spelling of Noisy Miner right. But then, hey, s/he/it is only a journalist and after all, they only deal with facts , not words.””
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