Squatter Pigeon sighting withdrawn

228 spp last year is the current record. Let's make 230 spp our goal for 2010.

Moderator: Mick Atzeni

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Mick Atzeni
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Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2005 9:08 pm

Squatter Pigeon sighting withdrawn

Post by Mick Atzeni »

Folks

A report of Squatter Pigeons from Ken McKeown on 12/6/10 along Stevens Road, Murphy's Ck, previously reported on this forum has been voluntarily withdrawn because of insufficient evidence. It was a fleeting look as the birds took flight and the possibility they were Common Bronzewings cannot be ruled out. Thanks Ken for doing the right thing and helping maintain the integrity of our records.

Unfortunately, Squatter Pigeons in our local survey area are virtually extinct, and apparently that has been the case for many years. Quoting Lord (1956) regarding the status of Squatter Pigeons in the Murphy's Creek area:
Once plentiful, when it was not unusual to find a nest, with two white eggs, placed at the foot of a grass tussock. Domestic and feral cats were probably responsible for its decrease, and for long periods they were believed to be extinct in the area. However, a single bird or a pair still makes an appearance occasionally. The latest record I have is of two birds that remained for several weeks in 1948 and which at times fed with the fowls. A week or so after they left, one was noted feeding by the railway with Bronzewings.


Personally, I haven't seen any local birds since 22/10/1989. That was the pair that used to frequent the area around the holding yards at the Helidon Dip, on Airforce Rd.


For the record, here are my historical local sightings:

11/12/1981 cnr Rossiters Rd/Murphy's Ck Rd, Lockyer (first record for TBO; 2 birds seen by Shane Brady and Mick Atzeni)
11/12/1983 Kelly's Rd, Helidon Spa (1 bird)
25/02/1989 Helidon Dip
28/02/1989 Helidon Dip
22/04/1989 Helidon Dip
12/06/1989 Helidon Dip
08/09/1989 Helidon Dip
17/09/1989 Helidon Dip
08/10/1989 Helidon Dip
22/10/1989 Helidon Dip

I encourage anyone else with local sightings to share them too.

Cheers
Mick

Reference:


Lord, E.A.R. (1956) The birds of Murphy's Creek district, Southern Queensland. Emu, 56, 101-128.
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