Galahs and the front lawn

A peculiarly Aussie post here featuring the Australian Galah (Birds in Backyards). For some they are a pet and a gorgeous bird to behold with much character. With such colours, they would readily appear on any birder's bucket list if they were rare. But they are everywhere!

For others the galah is a pest and a perceived threat to livelihood. In the bush, flocks can number in the thousands (My God the noise!) and then these seed-eaters can really monster a crop.

So there we have it. On the one hand beauty and character. On the other hand a management problem that threatens prosperity. A very Australian problem!

Australian galah Eolphus roseicapillus

These guys were photographed from the driver's seat (but through the passenger window!) when passing someone's front lawn at Cowes, Phillip Island. There were about 20 birds.

The Minister for funny walks

Look how keen to get stuck into the grass roots

That's what I was after!

So how are we approaching the issue of the galah? Well in typically (and somewhat embarrassingly) Australian fashion we: (1) Build a really big one ... And ...

"Rob kissing the galah" This is The Big Galah at Kimba, South Australia.
See the page at Triple J Road Trip Relay. Picture by Brendan Sando.

(2) Shoot the beggars ....

A few points .... (not trying to be political here - I just got quite interested in this!)

• Unlike most cockatoos and parrots, galah numbers and range appear to be increasing (felt to be due to the increased feed which has resulted from clearing the land and cropping).
• Native species of wildlife are protected in Australia. States have made it legal to shoot galahs in certain circumstances (trained and authorised gunmen, humane destruction codes etc).
• Sometimes the rationale behind shooting is not so much to cull but to disperse. It is my understanding that this is labour intensive and that there has not been measurable proof of increased crop productivity.
• There are some concerns that guidelines are not being followed when a cull is occurring

A few links ...

• A Federal Government department sponsored website www.feral.org.au carries these guidelines for the shooting of pest birds including some scientific background. Here are some of the bodies involved:

• Here is a link to one South Australian Council's Code of Practice for the Humane Destruction of Galahs and Corellas.
• Here is a local newspaper report from Bordertown (SA) after a member of the public complained about a galah cull at the local footy oval Border Chronicle Council under fire over galah deaths 
• On the other hand here is a story about the attention a single galah received after being shot for no apparent reason Shot galah nursed to health
• Here's the Birds Australia 2006 perspective in The State of Australia's Birds - Invasive species

As I read the material I have certainly felt that farmers need to be supported in their endeavours to protect their investment and work. Clearly the most ideal way is for research to guide us in choosing the most effective methods. If that involves culling through shooting or poisoning / gassing then that ought be performed by responsible and trained people. It is one thing to have job satisfaction with "a job well done". To me it is quite another to consider it "good fun".

From The New Kerang Times, 22nd February 1918. I'm yet to get an understanding of what this is about! Have they captured galahs and then released them at handicap distances for shooting? Is it just a name? Anyone know?

Sharing with Wild Bird Wednesday

Bird on!

Cisticola, Fairy-wrens & other Woolamai smalls

If these birds had hung around together a little longer then I may have made a better fist of capturing their moment together. These Golden-headed cisticola and Super fairy-wren shared the same patch of coastal heath when I visited Cape Woolamai recently.

Golden-headed cisticola and Superb fairy-wren, Cape Woolamai

Superb fairy-wren

Superb fairy-wren (female)

Golden-headed cisticola

There are few clues to the correct pronunciation of the name cisticola! It is one of those bird names that has to be heard before an attempt should be made. Sean Dooley does an excellent job in his book "From Anoraks to Zitting Cisticola":

Nothing gives a beginner away more quickly than mispronouncing the names of birds. It shouldn’t matter, but it does, and when I hear an experienced old-timer pronounce ‘plover’ so that it rhymes with ‘clover’ (it should rhyme with ‘lover’), I can’t help but give a misplaced smirk of superiority.
So for the record, if you want to avoid the sniggers of other birders, cisticola should be pronounced ‘sis-tick-er-la’ with the last syllables running together so that it sounds as though you are saying you have tickled your sister, not as if it was the latest flavour of Coke. And certainly try and avoid, as one friend used to say, ‘cisticular’. Particularly with the Zitting before it; people will think you are suffering from a medical condition. 'Sean was a healthy young man until he went to Darwin and picked up Zitting Cisticulars. Now it hurts when he pees.'

In my mind this male Golden-headed cisticola appears distracted by the flight of his love...

A few more Woolamai "smalls"....

Willie wagtail, Cape Woolamai (A "Woolie wagtail" perhaps?)

White-fronted chat

The scene where these shots were taken. Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island. The cape is at the eastern  most point of the island. Here is the view looking west across the rest of the island.

Bird on!

Woolamai honeyeaters

There is a section of the Cape Woolamai circuit that passes through a stand of banksia. Having been observing shorebirds, surf and then coastal heath one is suddenly immersed in the calls and territorial disputes of honeyeaters. The raucous shouts of wattlebirds dominate. Little wattlebird appeared to outnumber Red wattlebird on this occasion.

Little wattlebird, Cape Woolamai

Stand of banksia, Cape Woolamai

Also vying for honeyeater supremacy in this pocket of banksia were New Holland honeyeater and White-plumed honeyeater. A check of my observations reveals that I am yet to see Spiny-cheeked honeyeater in Victoria which is also "commonly" seen here (10% of Eremaea lists ... good enough reason to return in my book).

New-Holland honeyeaters discussing tactics

Moving back into coastal shrubs and heath gives the opportunity to see Singing honeyeater. In my opinion Singing honeyeater has a memorable distribution! Some of my fondest memories have occurred in outback Australia and also along the SW coast of Victoria. Guess where this bird occurs?

I reckon if I'm seeing Singing honeyeater I'm in a good place!

Singing honeyeater, Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island

Seeing this bird recently at Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island marks my most easterly sighting. I'll add this to my list of feel-good places!

Bird on!