Smithbrook Revisited – by Gaye Drady
As
a non-bander revisiting the Smithbrook banding site, my observations and
interactions proved extremely interesting and rewarding.
There
is a teacher in all of us; a successful teacher must possess a genuine
willingness to impart his/her knowledge in a manner that can be
understood and grasped by the ‘student’. A teacher must recognise a
student’s individual enthusiasm and ability to comprehend and process
information.
For
a ‘student’ to succeed, he/she must be a practiced listener, have a
genuine desire to learn well, and possess a certain degree of
self-confidence and passion. But most ‘teaching’ undertaken during
the course of our daily activities is simply a spontaneous sharing of
information as the opportunity arises to impart knowledge and experience
to interested persons.
I found the teacher in all with whom I
interacted at the Smithbrook banding project over the weekend of the
6th, 7th and 8th November 2009. I learnt a lot by
listening, asking questions and observing.
Thank you to everyone.
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All birds trapped are banded
and their measurements taken and recorded including: Wing Length,
Weight, Head Bill and Moult.
Banding station ‘D’ got off to a slow
start on Saturday, and had extraordinarily few captures all day, with
only six birds being processed. Therefore, there was ample time for
conversation. With everybody possessing different fields of expertise
and/or interest, I found the discussions very engaging.
I enjoyed listening to accounts of trips
to Eyre Bird Observatory, Mallee Fowl country and Nepal. I learned about
Tegan’s project studying the effects of fire on Red-winged Fairy Wren
and White-browed Scrub Wren populations. And Lee told us about Western
Australia’s three weedy blackberry species.
There are Common Blackberry seedlings
sprouting rampantly across the easement since the recent clearing
operation. I dread to imagine the extent of the blackberry problem in
the easement in 12 months time if this weed of national significance is
not dealt with.
Gwen relayed a story of a 13 year-old
banded Yellow-rumped Thornbill found dead by a neighbour. The
significance of the information gained about our bird life, through
banding, really began to become clear to me.
The power line easement in Smithbrook
Nature Reserve has been widened and slashed in readiness for
infrastructure upgrade, resulting in reduced net sites. Few, if any
birds were seen crossing low in the open space of the easement. Alex
noticed birds flying from the narrow strip of bush on the edge of the
clearing to momentarily shelter in a shrub that escaped the bulldozer at
the top of the hill on Middlesex Road. The birds then flew from the
shrub to the bushland. Supposedly, this indicates that the birds are
uncomfortable with the widened clearing. It will be interesting to note
at the next banding session whether birds have become more comfortable
with the clearing with the passing of time, that is, presuming it
isn’t overgrown with weeds and scrubby regrowth.
Birds were heard and seen in the canopy,
but other than Karri Hazel (Trymalium spathulatum), there was
little flowering in the understorey. Some banders suggested the dense
undergrowth and little variation in blossoms as other reasons for the
lack of birds finding the nets. Others suggested a greatly reduced
presence of birds altogether. Whatever the reasons, station D averaged
less than one bird an hour, while PMG station captured more than 30
birds on the first day.
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A bonus for Station D
Perry introduced walkie-talkies into the
banding operation, and how convenient they turned out to be,
particularly for coordinating the colour-banding and wren study that
Tegan was involved in. In his cheery style of entertaining himself and
others, Alex made the most of the new toy – “Mission Control. . . .
.come in Mission Control. . . . .”
New net sites were sought, and following a
little trimming of vegetation, two extra nets were erected. However,
there was no increase in the number of birds netted. We kept ourselves
awake with more conversation and coffee.
A
sprinkling of rain after lunch looked deceptively non-threatening, and
caught us unawares in the middle of recording details of a White-browed
Scrub Wren. A spray jacket was thrown over the banding paraphernalia on
the table as the skies opened up, but paperwork went flying as gusts of
wind accompanied the rain. June held an umbrella over Lola who was
recording the details of the new bird, but the rain came down in
buckets, and everyone scattered. The two banders sheltered under the
hatch-back door of David’s car to complete the processing of the bird,
and June helped Lola to her car under the umbrella.
We all waited out the worst of the
downpour in our vehicles. I believe those from PMG station didn’t fare
as well, sustaining a real drenching. Nets were closed and we all headed
for the comfort of our accommodation.
Drinks and nibblies were had indoors later
that afternoon after everyone had dried off. Informative talk about the
proposed local bio mass project and its objectionable features, as well
as discussion of the days banding events was mixed with wine and
whiskey, cheese and crackers. The get-together was an enjoyable social
occasion.
Nets were reopened at 6.30 on Sunday
morning. I decided to walk down to the banding site to make the most of
the opportunity to check out roadside vegetation. It was all downhill,
and very pleasant. I observed a Spotted Pardalote collecting and
carrying off a small twig, presumably for the lining of a nesting
chamber.
Back at Station D, there were no exciting
captures or events to hear about, but much excitement was to follow our
coffee and cake. David returned from a net run with a bag bulging far
beyond that of a wren or honeyeater. It was a male Collared Sparrowhawk,
and after the one that got away last November, it was a real treat for
everybody.
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Photo Opportunity
Perry, Lee, Debra and Tegan arrived to
view this beaut little raptor. Wing and tail measurements had already
been recorded, and David then skilfully applied the No. 7 stainless
steel band. It was explained to me as a novice, that the bird would pick
at the band, and in doing so would bend an aluminium band. A bent or
separated band would consequently risk injury or entanglement to the
bird.
Apparently an incoloy band is ideal as it is tough and resistant
to salt corrosion, but on this occasion stainless steel was all that was
available in the required size. I peered over David’s shoulder to
watch the procedure, noting the spring in the band making the job
trickier than applying aluminium bands. Alex explained that incoloy
does not exhibit the spring of stainless steel, therefore making it
easier to use.
Being inquisitive, I wanted to know more
about what exactly incoloy is, so after June and Alex helped me out, I
went searching for additional information:
Incoloy is
a nickel-iron-chromium alloy with additions of molybdenum, copper and
titanium, and is widely used for equipment that must have high strength
and resist oxidation, and other harmful effects of high-temperature
exposure.
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Showing longer middle digit and
Incoloy band |
The alloy's chemical composition is designed to provide
exceptional resistance to oxidation, corrosion, scaling and
stress-corrosion cracking.
Perry then held the bird for all to
admire. Photographs were taken, and Alex drew attention to the longer
middle digit on the foot of the bird. I was intrigued by this and was
extremely pleased to pick up some more identifying details. The female
Brown Goshawk is apparently similar to the Collared Sparrowhawk in
appearance, minus the long toe, so this is a distinguishing feature.
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I'm watching you!!
The raptor’s piercing yellow eyes
watched proceedings intently, but it did not try to bite the hand that
held it. I had previously not realised there was little threat from the
bill of a raptor.
It did not struggle, but held itself erect while the
humans admired its plumage and stature. And then Perry released it, and
banding activities resumed.
Seeing this group of dedicated, caring,
environmentally-conscious people in action goes a long way toward
encouraging me to also learn to band birds, which is something I will
consider seriously when I have the time to make a commitment. In the
meantime, I will continue to observe and learn. I am grateful to all who
attended the November 2009 Smithbrook Banding exercise for sharing their
knowledge and enthusiasm so willingly with me. Thank you.
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