Hi all Have readers pondered the possibility that the North Lakes Yellow Bittern could have been hatched in Australia? According to the Handbook of World Birds, the YB extended its breeding range westwards (with the discovery of nests in Egypt last year). Could it be that it is also making a southward push? Yes, this is 100% speculation until evidence of nesting is found here. But northern Australia is a big place and possibilities abound. Regarding behaviour, the Handbook also says that the YB is “mainly crepuscular and nocturnal but sometimes active on overcast days.” By all accounts, the North Lakes bird does not fit this description as it has been observed being very active during the day in full sunlight. If the bird has been active at night, who knows how far it has ranged over the local area, perhaps returning to roost at Wallaroo Circuit with its substantial reed cover. Food for thought. Regards Andrew _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
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2 responses to “Aussie Yellow Bittern”
Not sure about HBW’s “mainly crepuscular and nocturnal but sometimes active on overcast days”. While this applies obviously for all Ixobrychus species, in my own experience (having observed all the world’s Ixobrychus species but Schrenck’s), YB is the easiest to see out in the open in the middle of the day. Nikolas A/Prof Nikolas Haass | Head, Experimental Melanoma Therapy Group The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute Level 6 | Translational Research Institute | 37 Kent Street | Woolloongabba QLD 4102 T: +61 (0)7 3443 7087 | M: +61 (0)424 603 579 F: +61 (0)7 3443 6966 E: n.haass1@uq.edu.au | W: http://www.di.uq.edu.au …Turning scientific discoveries into better treatmentsŠ CRICOS Code 00025B This email is intended solely for the addressee. It may contain private or confidential information. If you are not the intended addressee, you must take no action based on it, nor show a copy to anyone. Kindly notify the sender by reply email. Opinions and information in this email which do not relate to the official business of The University of Queensland shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by the University On 13/07/14 10:44 AM, “Andrew Thelander” <thelander.a@gmail.com> wrote: _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
Andrew, An excellent hypothesis. Cinnamon Bitterns can travel long distances, with birds from Central China migrating as far as Nusa Tenggara and PNG. The idea that they can hop over from Indonesia or PNG is not that far fetched. What with their secretive nature and the low ratio of birders to the Km2 in Aus, i would not be surprised if there are more CBs lurking in our northern wetlands. Who knows, some of it’s Cinnamon brethren may follow. Carl Clifford _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org