Does anyone know much about Red-backed Button-quails?
Do they leave platelets?
I suspect there is one (or more) currently at the wetlands in SEQ where I volunteer, and we have sighted them there in the past – probably 8 to 10 years ago – but I am now judging on a few calls and a few platelets. The habitat does not seem suitable to me. It is the landwards side of mangroves where there is Mangrove fern, and the platelets are in an area where there are Allocasuarina needles on the ground, but not grass except for maybe a little arrow grass and some Phragmites australis. It is very near to where they were sighted by at least three people in the past.
Would appreciate any first-hand knowledge.
Thanks kindly
Robyn H
===============================
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 ===============================
Robyn,
Interesting that you made your observation, because I, also, recently observed similar ground markings in treed vegetation behind the beach on the north shore of Noosa (SEQ). The habitat is similar to that at Inskip Point (SEQ). I have seen nothing but roundish scratchings – no quail, no calls arousing suspicion. I went back there recently to check, but saw nothing more than I saw initially. To me they don’t look exactly like the platelets of BBBQ, but I still wonder who made them. They are not the kind of scratchings made at random by such as brush turkeys. I just didn’t know what to make of them.
Cheers,
Jill
Jill Dening Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
26° 51′ 41″S 152° 56′ 00″E
===============================
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
http://birding-aus.org ===============================
Thanks for your response, Chris.
The site is the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary at Bli Bli on the Sunshine Coast.
There are not many platelets in the area where I noticed them, but I must admit I did not look further. I did not take notice at first as the crabs which burrow there clear an area around the burrow, and initially, I assumed they were just crab clearances. But they are different, and there is no burrow in the clearing. In fact, it was seeing the platelets which made me realize the calls were the RBBQ and I came home and checked the call on the computer. There could well be many other platelets amongst the Mangrove Ferns which is more where the calls were coming from, but the ground is not visible, and probably too wet for platelets. The two areas are just either side of the boardwalk.
There are Northern Brown Bandicoot in the area and they are very active at present, but they do not leave neat circular traces.
The Swamp Rat also utilises the area and it is not like any of the traces I have ever seen for them.
Fawn-footed Melomys and Yellow-footed Antechinus are in other areas, but there is no reason they would not be here also, and Bush Rats are in another area I am aware of. I think it is too damp for them.
Would be happy to hear further comments.
Thanks kindly
Robyn H