Banding at the Spit: February 26, 2016

The Spit Banding: February 26 2016

Licenced Banders: David Braithwaite, Stephen Macdonald, and Rainer Ebel
Location: The Spit Site, Seaworld Dr Main Beach QLD : 56J 542050 E 6909186N See map from  January 4, 2016. Temperature: 27-31°C by 09:30; Cloud Cover: 5%; Net Operation: 05:00 to 9:30 = 4.5 hrs. Number of nets: 5 Number of net-hrs: 49.5 net-hrs. Birds/net-hrs (Effort): 0.7 Number of birds: 32 birds representing 6 species.



Silvereye 24 [3 returns], Tawny Grassbird 1, Willie Wagtail 1, Leaden Flycatcher 1, Brown Honeyeater 3, Double-barred Finch 2.

Comment: Silvereye. It was noted that some of the Silvereyes we were capturing displayed more rufous  or chestnut colour on the flanks than the local race: Zosterops laterals cornwalli which is primarily grey sometimes with a buff or tawny colour cast on its flanks. If we are correct these rufous flank birds may be the first migrants of the species Z.l.westernensis in SEQ from eastern Victoria (Melbourne area). Biometrical differences between the races are not immanent although more mensural information with more intense analysis or isotopic research should provide better seasonal distributional results.  

Silvereye Zosterotis laterals cornwallii

This is the race Z.l.cornwalli which occurs in SEQ and essential east of the Great Divide northern NSW . Note greyish flanks and olive green throat; this combination distinguishes this species from the Z.l. westernensis  form which displays  a yellow or pale yellowish throat colour and a tawny flank. Where both forms overlap is questionable but currently, it is  believed to occur somewhere above the Canberra area in NSW. Both sexes incubate makes for sexing problematic.
There are at nine subspecies or races of this Genus found in Australia.



The Leaden Flycatcher is a spectacular looking but this photo by David B. captured it's frontal splendour and magnifigance. Because this species is sexually dimorphic females as presented differ from males by their leaden blue grey hood covering also the breast area.
The Leaden (pronounced as in lead) belongs to the Family Monarchidae includes the Magpie-Lark but appears not related to the North American Flycatchers, Tyrannidae. There are 4 to 5 subspecies separated geographically on the continent. The hybrid zones would be an interesting area of investigation.

We assessed this photogenic bird as a female aged 2+ because we did not see any rufous edges in the secondaries  nor was it undergoing any moult.

The female of this species can be confused with the Broad-billed Flycatcher, the female of the Satin Flycatcher
It is fairly common and somewhat migratory as is the Satin Flycatcher.

Double-barred Finch (Taeniopygia bichenovii) is found through eastern and northern Australia in suitable habitat, and is represented by two subspecies. They are easily separated by their rump colour; white is bichenovii and black is annulosa . Since both sexes incubate it is impossible to separate the female and male based on brood patch or cloacal protubrance.

The Tawny Grassbird is usually found in coastal areas grassy dunes, rank grasses, croplands etc. Breeds from August to December in se Australia and earlier in northern Australia.  Found commonly along the eastern and northern coastal regions. No difference between sexes  and juveniles. It was aged 1+