Five Robins

On a recent trip to the south west, I was at the north end of Marri Road at Dryandra State Forest near Narrogin in WA. In less than an hour, in an area roughly 500 metres (NS) by 200 metres (EW), we found Jacky Winter, Hooded Robin, Western Yellow Robin, Red-capped Robin and Scarlet Robin. The WYR was the species that I don’t get regularly at that particular site. I can’t think of anywhere else I would get five robins at the same site? This is a similar thread to that a year or so ago about how many honeyeaters people have seen at a site. _________________________________________________________________ Frank O’Connor Birding WA http://birdingwa.iinet.net.au Phone : (08) 9386 5694 Email : foconnor@iinet.net.au =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org ===============================

7 comments to Five Robins

  • stephen

    Hi Allan, I’ve noticed the opposite in my study areas between Woomargama & Tarcutta in the last 6.5 years. Scarlet Robins were more common than Flames at the start of the surveys, but seemed to have declined significantly in the last couple of years. Flames seem to have built up in numbers in the last couple of years, whereas they were seen quite rarely at the start of surveys. I was wondering if Flames were in lower numbers in my survey areas earlier on because of drought conditions, but migrated back in bigger numbers in winter in the last couple of years because the drought is over. But I could be wrong. Many of my survey areas are in roadside woodland areas, others are travelling stock reserves or small woodland patches on farmland. My guess is that roadside woodland corridors are important for migrating Flames and dispersal of Scarlets. In May 2012 I observed a flock of at least 30 Flame Robins moving along one woodland corridor adjacent to the Woomargama Bypass (Hume Highway), which I assumed was a migrating flock. Kind regards, Stephen Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW —–Original Message—– [mailto:birding-aus-bounces@lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Allan Richardson Sent: Thursday, 17 October 2013 7:28 PM Cc: birding-aus Aus Interesting that you find Scarlet Robin in shorter supply than Flame in some areas Stephen. A few years back I was regularly working on the Newnes Plateau in the Western Blue Mountains and Scarlet were in much better shape than Flame – I’d say the ratio would be somewhere in the vicinity of 3:1. Flame are absent from southern areas in the Hunter since they appear to prefer higher elevations than we have on the Hunter’s southern flanks, but even in areas like Barrington Tops, which was always a stronghold for flame, they seem to be dropping off in population density. Allan R On 17/10/2013, at 8:51 AM, Stephen Ambrose wrote: decline. Bypass. the Hunter. =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================

  • albirdo

    Interesting that you find Scarlet Robin in shorter supply than Flame in some areas Stephen. A few years back I was regularly working on the Newnes Plateau in the Western Blue Mountains and Scarlet were in much better shape than Flame – I’d say the ratio would be somewhere in the vicinity of 3:1. Flame are absent from southern areas in the Hunter since they appear to prefer higher elevations than we have on the Hunter’s southern flanks, but even in areas like Barrington Tops, which was always a stronghold for flame, they seem to be dropping off in population density. Allan R On 17/10/2013, at 8:51 AM, Stephen Ambrose wrote: =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================

  • stephen

    I’ve also found it increasingly harder to find Hooded Robins over the 6.5 years of woodland bird surveys between Tarcutta & Woomargama (NSW South-west Slopes). I can’t say I’ve noticed a decline in Jacky Winters in the region, but I suspect that Scarlet Robins are on the decline. I should also clarify that the Town Common Woodland (TCW) at Holbrook where I have seen six robins in the same survey was approximately 90 ha in area, so I think it is probably larger than the areas where Frank, Russ & Mick found fewer robin species. The Holbrook TCW is now slightly smaller in area and bisected by the Hume Highway’s Holbrook Bypass. Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW —–Original Message—– [mailto:birding-aus-bounces@lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Allan Richardson Sent: Wednesday, 16 October 2013 7:38 PM Cc: ‘birding-aus’; Stephen Ambrose Yes Mick is correct – in the central Hunter Valley in Bulloak-dominated woodland there are some sites that support 7 robin species (Eastern Yellow, Red-capped, Scarlet, Flame, Rose, Hooded and Jacky Winter) – only in winter though. The Scarlet, Flame and Rose move into the hills for the spring and Summer. Mick is on the money about Hooded Robin in the Hunter though – it is certainly in decline and one wonders how long it will be before they disappear. When I do come across Hooded Robins in our neck of the woods, Jacky Winters are almost always using the same habitat. Jacky Winter is a once very common species that also appears to be in decline in the Hunter. Allan R =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================

  • albirdo

    Yes Mick is correct – in the central Hunter Valley in Bulloak-dominated woodland there are some sites that support 7 robin species (Eastern Yellow, Red-capped, Scarlet, Flame, Rose, Hooded and Jacky Winter) – only in winter though. The Scarlet, Flame and Rose move into the hills for the spring and Summer. Mick is on the money about Hooded Robin in the Hunter though – it is certainly in decline and one wonders how long it will be before they disappear. When I do come across Hooded Robins in our neck of the woods, Jacky Winters are almost always using the same habitat. Jacky Winter is a once very common species that also appears to be in decline in the Hunter. Allan R On 16/10/2013, at 11:14 AM, Mick Roderick wrote: =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================

  • mickhhb

    The Bulloak-dominated woodlands in the Broke-Jerry’s Plains-Wambo area of the Hunter Valley have 6 robin species present during the winter months (Red-capped, Rose, Scarlet, Hooded, Eastern Yellow, Jacky Winter) and I have seen 5 of them at the same time at 2 sites (one with the 6 listed minus Hooded near Broke, one with the 6 listed minus Scarlet near Wambo). When I say “the same time” I mean over an hour or so in a 200m radius or thereabouts.   I know that Allan Richardson has had Flame Robins somewhere in this area as well, but not sure where exactly. Maybe he has seen 6 at the same site?   I’ve just checked with Birdata and there are a few cells between Martindale and Broke showing 6 species. There are some east of Broke in Bulloak country that have 6 robins but are missing Red-capped which is surprising. Certainly potential for 7 in these spots.   The Hoodeds are disappearing from this landscape though and I don’t even know if one could still find them at these sites any longer. Red-caps and Jacky Winters are also likely be declining in these places (as is probably Scarlet!).   Mick ________________________________ From: Stephen Ambrose < stephen@ambecol.com.au> Sent: Wednesday, 16 October 2013 8:58 AM I conduct bird surveys regularly in woodland patches near the Hume Highway in the South-west Slopes region of NSW. I’ve seen Red-capped Robin, Scarlet Robin, Flame Robin, Eastern Yellow Robin, Hooded Robin and Jacky Winter in a single (winter) outing to the Town Common Woodland at Holbrook. However, they have not all been detected there every year over the six years that surveys have been conducted.  This is a small area of remnant box-gum woodland alongside the Hume Highway, in a rural landscape that has been cleared of most of its native woodland.  Remnant woodland patches in this region are usually full of woodland birds, probably because there is nowhere else for them to go. Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW —–Original Message—– [mailto:birding-aus-bounces@lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Russ Sent: Wednesday, 16 October 2013 12:54 AM Cc: birdswa Google Group; Birding Aus Woodlands Historic Park, close to Melbourne Airport, is a fantastic spot. The Back Paddock is largely a grey box woodland, and 5 Robins can be seen here during winter: Scarlet (22), Red-capped (44), Rose (4), Flame (32), Eastern Yellow (13). I’ve included the Eremaea reporting rate to give an idea of which robins you are more likely to see. I’ve not seen more than 4 on one day but an amazing SEVEN is possible: Jacky-Winter (1%) and Pink (just under 1%). I recall someone seeing six on a single outing – not sure if anyone has seen all 7. Eremaea has no record of Hooded Robin at this site, but they’ve been recorded not that far away. 8 robins does soudn a litlte excessive! You’ve laid down the challenge, Frank. I’ll be out to get 5 Robins at Woodlands next winter! Russell Woodford Ocean Grove =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org/ =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================

  • stephen

    I conduct bird surveys regularly in woodland patches near the Hume Highway in the South-west Slopes region of NSW. I’ve seen Red-capped Robin, Scarlet Robin, Flame Robin, Eastern Yellow Robin, Hooded Robin and Jacky Winter in a single (winter) outing to the Town Common Woodland at Holbrook. However, they have not all been detected there every year over the six years that surveys have been conducted. This is a small area of remnant box-gum woodland alongside the Hume Highway, in a rural landscape that has been cleared of most of its native woodland. Remnant woodland patches in this region are usually full of woodland birds, probably because there is nowhere else for them to go. Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW —–Original Message—– [mailto:birding-aus-bounces@lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Russ Sent: Wednesday, 16 October 2013 12:54 AM Cc: birdswa Google Group; Birding Aus Woodlands Historic Park, close to Melbourne Airport, is a fantastic spot. The Back Paddock is largely a grey box woodland, and 5 Robins can be seen here during winter: Scarlet (22), Red-capped (44), Rose (4), Flame (32), Eastern Yellow (13). I’ve included the Eremaea reporting rate to give an idea of which robins you are more likely to see. I’ve not seen more than 4 on one day but an amazing SEVEN is possible: Jacky-Winter (1%) and Pink (just under 1%). I recall someone seeing six on a single outing – not sure if anyone has seen all 7. Eremaea has no record of Hooded Robin at this site, but they’ve been recorded not that far away. 8 robins does soudn a litlte excessive! You’ve laid down the challenge, Frank. I’ll be out to get 5 Robins at Woodlands next winter! Russell Woodford Ocean Grove =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================

  • admin

    Woodlands Historic Park, close to Melbourne Airport, is a fantastic spot. The Back Paddock is largely a grey box woodland, and 5 Robins can be seen here during winter: Scarlet (22), Red-capped (44), Rose (4), Flame (32), Eastern Yellow (13). I’ve included the Eremaea reporting rate to give an idea of which robins you are more likely to see. I’ve not seen more than 4 on one day but an amazing SEVEN is possible: Jacky-Winter (1%) and Pink (just under 1%). I recall someone seeing six on a single outing – not sure if anyone has seen all 7. Eremaea has no record of Hooded Robin at this site, but they’ve been recorded not that far away. 8 robins does soudn a litlte excessive! You’ve laid down the challenge, Frank. I’ll be out to get 5 Robins at Woodlands next winter! Russell Woodford Ocean Grove On 15 October 2013 20:41, Frank O’Connor < foconnor@iinet.net.au> wrote: =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================