peterval Oorts are fragments of chewed up grass (or other similar material) that are spat out by small mammals, especially Bettongs, probably because these remnants are too fibrous to swallow. Ecologists are using them to help measure activity of bettongs at different sites and also to collect DNA from fresh saliva-rich oorts (as a non-invasive sampling … Read more
Increasingly Chris this is not the case … it is now being overtaken by sand deposited by the Cairns Regional Council in a misplaced attempt to turn the mudflats into a sandy beach. Locals are concerned at the already significant loss of wader food sources and hope to see the Council reverse its decision. Peter … Read more
A long shot I know, but if by chance anyone found a Nikon lens cap (77mm) at Herdsman’s Lake yesterday it is probably mine – I was near the Wildlife Centre and along the track to where the Black-tailed Native Hens hang out. Appreciate an offline response. Peter Valentine 0427 634 136 (no reception at … Read more
Debbie, I think it is also true that the acceptable level of expertise is 75%. In other words it is OK to get one in four IDs wrong! That might potentially account for the errors although not sure how some of the mistakes could possibly be made! Blind shooting maybe? Time for 100% success requirement … Read more
Birdlife Australia Northern Queensland members Kath Shurcliff and Dave Houghton reported (on Eremaea) an amazing concentration of Freckled Ducks at a reserve in northern Queensland a few days ago. They counted 441 but conceded there were probably more as not all of the wetland could be seen from their scope site. As far as I … Read more
