More info on the Wonga Beach Spotted Whistling Ducks

Richard Nowotny M: 0438 224 456

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Diana Bryant > Date: 24 September 2011 2:20:40 PM AEST > To: “richard.nowotny@bigpond.com” > Subject: More info on the Wonga Beach Spotted Whistling Ducks >

> Diana (Bryant) and I happened to be holidaying in Port Douglas (how lucky can you be – Diana only arrived last night) and went down to Wonga Beach for a look at the Spotted Whistling Ducks this morning – along with a number of other local birders (although we missed Keith Fisher whom I note has already confirmed their ongoing presence on this forum today). > All present were a little surprised (pleasantly so) by the birds’ lack of flightiness and tolerance of being observed – obviously no one wanted to be responsible for frightening them off and depriving later visitors of this pleasure. However, there was no sign that they seemed likely to leave and this started to raise some questions about when they might have arrived, how long they’ve been around, etc. > I ended up speaking at some length with Judy Terracall, an 8-year Wonga Beach local, who owns the house immediately adjacent to the pond (and which she overlooks from her property). She has a similar pond in her back-yard, only 50 meters from the pond on the vacant land which holds the ducks. She described first seeing them at least 3 weeks ago (maybe 4) and told me that they spent some of their time in her pond as well as in their present location. > I should add that Judy was knowledgeable (although not a birder she does have a copy of Pizzey & Knight on hand, and her uncle Ted Molesworth was a good friend of Norman Wettenhall), hospitable and interested, and is now well and truly aware that she may have more than a few temporary “neighbours” in the days (weeks?) ahead. [I have copied this email to her by way of thanks.] ***I have since spoken with her again by phone (one of her dogs was bitten by a Red-bellied Black Snake while we were there and had to be taken urgently to the vet – she is recovering after some horrendously expensive anti-venene). Judy has very generously said she would be happy to assist birders with information about the ducks presence if anyone wishes to call her on her mobile (0409 262 462).** > Equally interesting was a conversation Di and I had with the woman who lives diagonally across from the vacant block with the duck-pond (I understand her name is Michelle Miller – her partner Rod Miller came across and spoke with some of the other observers while I was speaking with Judy). She confirmed Rod’s observation that this is not the first year that these ducks have been seen on this pond (although Judy did not report having seen them previously). She is quite certain they were present in early spring last year (2010) in similar numbers and behaving very much the same, ie feeding in the water, loafing on the overhanging bare branches, etc. She seemed less sure about 2009 although I understand Rod expressed the view that they had been present previous year/s as well. Michelle seemed confident that these were different from the usual whistling-type ducks which they see quite commonly. > What conclusions might be drawn from these observations? > 1. It seems almost certain that this group of Spotted Whistling Duck has been present at Wonga Beach for several weeks at least, ie they probably didn’t arrive in the past few days. > 2. It seems quite probable that the same birds (or at least the same species) were present at Wonga Beach in 2010, and possibly even earlier (although all of this seems worthy of further enquiry and confirmation if possible – might Chris Dahlberg, who lives in Wonga Beach, be able to do a bit of local sleuthing?) > 3. For anyone contemplating making a visit to see these birds (particularly if involving significant time and expense) they seem quite settled and have probably been present for some weeks at least, making it more likely that they will remain for some time yet. > 4. The risk (as always) is that birders in numbers (particularly if they are seeking close views or, perhaps even more particularly, close photos) may press the birds too much and they will decamp for less stressful surroundings. The other risk is that the attention drawn to the birds by the visiting birders may cause locals (kids? dogs?) to explore and inadvertently frighten them off. > It seems to me that it may be helpful if some local birder could put up a notice and/or some form of perimeter (a string line) that may help reduce the chance of the birds being pushed off – but maybe not? > Richard Nowotny ===============================

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