Bird Banding at The Grand GC: 2015 Dec 23.

The Grand Golf Course Bird Banding Update for December 23, 2015

Licenced Banders: David Braithwaite, Stephen Macdonald, and Rainer Ebel

Guests: Rodney Cook

Location: The Grand Golf Course, 346 Gilson Road, Gilston QLD 4211: 28°0’54” S 153°18’2”E,  “Dumpsite Road”.

Temperature: 28-31°C; Cloud Cover: 50-95%; Net Operation: 07:30 to 12:00 = 4.5 hrs.

Number of nets:  11 (2m tall by 12m long, 32mm mesh) Number of net-hrs: 49.5 net-hrs. Birds/net-hrs (Effort): 0.10. Number of birds: 5 representing, 2 species.

Red-browed Finch 4; (3 returns) Silvereye 1; (return)

           

Definitions: When we discuss recaptures the terms repeat and returns are often used.  A bird banded at a site and is recaptured at the same site after 90 days is considered a return. A repeat is a recaptured bird banded at a site and, is recaptured at the same site within 90 days.  A foreign re-trap or recapture is a banded bird from an unknown location.

Returns:

Band No	Species	1st Date	2nd Capture Date	Min Age	Age/Sex
01A-65104	Red-browed Finch (RBFI)	2015 February 1	2015-Dec 23	10mths 23 days	2+/M
01A-65152	Silvereye (SILV)	2015- March-21	2015-Dec 23	8 m 18 d	2+/F
01A-65235	Red-browed Finch	2015- June -15	2015-Dec 23	6 m 6d	2+/M
01A-65249	Red-browed Finch	2015-July-15	2015-Dec 23	6m 6d	2+/F

 I am not sure how long lived these birds are but one thing for certain is that they were adults at the time of capture and are, in reality much older that indicated. Both the  RBFI and SILV female displayed a brood patch that suggested they were nearing the end of their breeding cycle for the year.  All birds are obviously resident although Silvereyes are known to migrate north after the breeding season.

Comment

Weather conditions were relatively hot and dry.  Forest floor litter abundant and the shrubs sparse- looking although hints of greening were present. Another major rainfall and I suspect that the vegetation will change as well as the bird diversity. Although the forest chatter was relatively quiet, the ratio of newly captures to recaptures (1:5) says it all.

  

Red-browed Finch

Other Observations

An additional 30 birds recorded while at our station and on the fairways. Only one Scarlet Honeyeater was heard this time whereas other species of honeyeaters where conspicuous by their absence. However, once the rains come we can expect an increase in flowering trees which (you guessed it) will attract a variety of honeyeaters to The Grand. 

PS: It is good to be back and to catch up with mates. I do thank David and Stephen for continuing the banding program at The Grand in my absence.