Banded Lapwing in Middle Ridge

Sightings within the local survey area for the period 1 Jun 2008 - 31 Aug 2009. The local survey area is a rectangular area extending from Kingsthorpe NW of Toowoomba to the Mt Whitestone/Fordsdale area SE of Helidon.

Moderator: Mick Atzeni

Post Reply
Rod Hobson
Posts: 509
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:03 am

Banded Lapwing in Middle Ridge

Post by Rod Hobson »

Folks,

Yesterday afternoon whilst mutt-walking near home I saw a single Banded Lapwing in the parkland adjacent Gabbinbar State School, Middle Ridge. Anyone contemplating a look for this bird should be aware of two pair of Masked Lapwings that are presently nesting in this same parkland. Be prepared to ward off dive-bombers; Tora! Tora! Tora!

On the subject of airborne head-hunters Australian Magpies are also nesting locally already. I saw the first bird carrying nesting material near Lake Annand a fortnight ago.

It's good to see Banded Lapwings back around Toowoomba, including in the Lockyer Valley, after an absence of several years. It seems that their reappearance has coincided with the return of the rains. Lovely birds to have about.

Regards,
Rod Hobson
User avatar
Mick Atzeni
Posts: 1843
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2005 9:08 pm

Historical Banded Lapwing Records

Post by Mick Atzeni »

Folks

It's a very good record - Toowoomba records are basically a thing of the past. Also a new one for the 2009 Challenge.

Just to back Rod's comments, I've pulled out what records I could find of mine (MA). Not comprehensive, but tells the general story.

18/05/1980 cnr West/Nelson Sts MA 2 My first sighting
18/06/1980 cnr West/Nelson Sts MA 2
24/06/1980 Nelson St, Middle Ridge MA
10/07/1980 cnr West/Nelson Sts MA 2
15/07/1980 cnr West/Nelson Sts MA 2
17/07/1980 cnr West/Nelson Sts MA 2
16/08/1980 Toowoomba Airport MA
21/09/1980 Toowoomba Airport MA 2
21/10/1980 DDIAE* MA pair + 2 chicks
10/11/1980 DDIAE MA
17/11/1980 DDIAE MA
19/11/1980 DDIAE MA 6 on land beside carpark in Baker St
21/11/1980 DDIAE MA
11/12/1980 DDIAE MA 1
12/12/1980 DDIAE MA 3
08/01/1981 DDIAE MA
11/01/1981 Toowoomba Airport MA
16/11/1981 DDIAE, Baker St MA 2 adults+4 immature birds
24/09/1982 Toowoomba Airport MA 2
20/10/1982 East of Helidon MA
07/10/1989 Reynolds Lane, Helidon MA
19/11/1989 Iredale MA with young

* DDIAE is now University of Southern Qld (USQ) and buildings now stand where Banded Plovers once did.

I always scan the Toowoomba airport when I drive past hoping they've returned to this former haunt. Did so again on Wednesday. Alas, no Banded Plovers, but in Bridge St opposite the airport were two Barn Owls, one in the median strip the other nearby on the northern side of the road, both very conspicuous, roosting in deciduous trees devoid of foliage.

Very strange :?
Post Reply

Return to “Winter Within - 2009”