Hi All, Does anyone have any up to date info on the Ostriches around Barham?
Considering whether it’s worth a detour.
Thanks, John Tongue Ulverstone, Tas.
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How long is 3 generations for the Ostrich? A “3-gen or 10 yrs, whichever is longest” rule is used by the IUCN to compare with rates of decline for classifying threatened species. It is a measure of time, not a matter of having grandchildren. A generation is defined as the average age of first breeding in females of the population. It is a seriously flawed criterion because it is extremely difficult to determine, especially in rare species. I’m not sure if a criterion of 3-gen for establishment of a self-sustaining population is defined in the same way. I’m not aware of any formal recognition of this criterion for introduced poulations. In a pure sense, you can’t determine what the generation length is in an establishing population (or a declining population!), because it is not stable. Since the 1980s I have understood 10 years to be the rule for feral species. It seems very arbitrary and inadequate. However, as far as I am aware, Christidis & Boles 1994 and 2008 did not use very specific criteria. The 2008 list defined that “Introduced species accepted are those whose populations are naturally self-sustaining without the need for additional releases or escapees to remain viable.” To point out how stupid the IUCN generation length is for threatened species, Christmas Island Flying-fox failed to be classified as threatened by the Australian Environment Department’s Scientific Advisory Committee in 2008 primarily because they did not know how long the species’ generation length is: Rapidly declining towards extinction? Sure. Generation length? Unsure. List as threatened? Nope! David James, Sydney burunglaut07@yahoo.com ==============================
Sent: Tuesday, 6 September 2011 7:30 PM
Hi all,
There were certainly some immature ones there when I drove past a few months ago – so they’ve clearly breeding recently.
They were right by the fence but spooked when I pulled the car over – so they certainly didn’t seem very domesticated either.
Doesn’t help prove the 3 generations rule though…
Cheers,
Ed
Ed Williams Seddon VIC
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Ahh ok – I wasn’t aware that locals had been seeing them for 25 years – I was under the impression someone just came accross them a few months ago and everyone went to see them :)Joshua Bergmark CC: birding-aus@vicnet.net.au
Hi Joshua
The information broadcast a few months ago is that this group of Ostriches has been known by locals in the area to be self-sustaining for at least 25 years. So it is possible to argue that they may not have been through three generations (another test), but it is most likely that they have. They have been seen with young.
Bob Cook
[mailto:w_lizard@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 6 September 2011 6:47 PM
Ostriches?
Hi everyone, this is just a quick question that I’ve been wondering about since the Ostriches were found – how is it that these birds have been deemed “tickable”, and not just escapees, which seems like the more likely option? Is there proof that they’ve been sustaining themselves for 10 years?
Regards
Joshua Bergmark
lyell@iprimus.com.au; Tim.Dolby@vu.edu.au
This
of
Rd were a family of Grey-crowned
Tongue
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Hi all,
There were certainly some immature ones there when I drove past a few months ago – so they’ve clearly breeding recently.
They were right by the fence but spooked when I pulled the car over – so they certainly didn’t seem very domesticated either.
Doesn’t help prove the 3 generations rule though…
Cheers,
Ed
Ed Williams Seddon VIC
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Hi Joshua
The information broadcast a few months ago is that this group of Ostriches has been known by locals in the area to be self-sustaining for at least 25 years. So it is possible to argue that they may not have been through three generations (another test), but it is most likely that they have. They have been seen with young.
Bob Cook
_____
Sent: Tuesday, 6 September 2011 6:47 PM
Hi everyone, this is just a quick question that I’ve been wondering about since the Ostriches were found – how is it that these birds have been deemed “tickable”, and not just escapees, which seems like the more likely option? Is there proof that they’ve been sustaining themselves for 10 years? Regards Joshua Bergmark
lyell@iprimus.com.au; Tim.Dolby@vu.edu.au This to Tongue
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Hi all
Successful trip today to find Ostriches near Barham, South West NSW.
We found them very close to the published point – 35.37.15, 144.20.45. This point is actually a little way up Lashbrook Rd.
However, they are in a large “paddock” on the North East corner of Deniliquin-Barham Rd and Lashbrook Rd. This corner is just to the West of where the large powerlines cross the Deniliquin-Barham Rd (otherwise easy to miss that road). We first saw two birds from Lashbrook Road about 3/4 km from the main road. They were in a Canola crop and a long way, at least 500m, from the road. We later saw 5 birds from the Deniliquin-Barham Rd, exactly where the powerlines cross, but still over 100m from the road. So definitely 6 and probably 7 adult birds – did not see any chicks.
As this paddock is probably at least 1km x 2km and they were actively roaming around, they are not all that easy to spot. (Others have told us that they would be right by the fence…!!!)
Also of interest seen along Lashbrook Rd were a family of Grey-crowned Babblers and a lone, probably juvenile White-winged Triller.
And I have seen more White-necked Herons on this trip (from near Bendigo) and around Vic generally in the past six months than in the past 20 years!
Bob Cook spanda8@bigpond.com 0427 266 770
Hi John
We are about to drive out to look for them today. Will post a report tonight!
Bob Cook spanda8@bigpond.com