New Peninsula Residents

As the climate varies and changes, our mobile feathered friends also move to follow their preferred habitats. Some are highly migratory and move to follow the sun as the seasons ebb and flow. Some travel enormous distances, such as Latham’s (Japanese) Snipe (Gallingo hardwickii), which comes by in spring to autumn on its annual migration from its breeding sites in northern Japan and eastern Russia to its summer residence in eastern Australia. Others migrate occasionally when conditions are good, e.g., to central Australia when rains flood Lake Ayer and other regions.

Sedentary birds also occasionally move to follow changing ecological conditions or to escape regions where conditions become difficult, such as in an extended drought. When this happens, they may choose to stay and become permanent residents.

Past examples for the Peninsula include Crested Pigeons (Ocyphaps lophotes) that appear to have followed the spread of community parks, golf courses and sports ground down into Victoria and are now common in our area. A different example is provided by the Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) an exotic from Southeast Asia that has spread out of the city areas and now hybridised to the level that it could be considered to be native in a similar way that the dingo is now native.

Now it is time for us to welcome two new residents, the little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) and the Scarlet Honeyeater (Myzomela

sanguinolenta), which appear to have been driven south by the dry conditions up north. The recent Birds in Backyards survey by Birdlife Australia found a marked upsurge in sightings of these visitors, which are now common throughout Melbourne and down into the Peninsula. They have not yet made an appearance at Carranya, so we shall see if they decide to stay and spread throughout the region. In the meantime, enjoy the beauty of the honeyeaters and the rather vigorous ‘conversations’ of the corellas.

Please report any sightings to daapthomas@nullgmail.com.

• Jacqui Salter and Greg Holland