Along the Track

Forest and Bird, Issue 107, 1 February 1953, Page 12

Along the Track

BLENHEIM. — The following incident was witnessed during the second week in July from a vessel steaming down Tasman Bay when it was approximately seven miles from the coast.

A dark smudge appeared on the water a mile ahead of the vessel and an inspection through field glasses disclosed it to be a flock of sea birds. As the vessel approached the flock were seen to be very closely grouped and in circular formation. There was seen to be considerable movement among the birds as many of them indulged in short flights from one part to another of the circle. Two birds resting on the water remained until the prow of the vessel was within a few feet of them before they took flight to the group which then lay. a little to one side. The main group was close enough to the vessel for the birds to be distinguished and they were undoubtedly black shags and others with patches of white on head and/or front. Owing to the activity of the birds I could not fully describe or name those which carried the white emblem. It was difficult to estimate but I put the figure at well over 1000 and possibly 2000 birds. The group was so densely packed that it appeared the individual birds had difficulty in finding room to float, and in endeavours to remain on the surface other birds became submerged. The whole group moved fairly rapidly, possibly half or more being submerged and swimming under water, and as all the birds indulged in the pastime, so the group moved ahead more rapidly than they would do on the surface The group was estimated to be approximately 40 yards across. When

they took to flight, it seemed that a conjurer’s trick was being performedmost noticeable when the remaining fifty birds visible became more than double that number in flight. This would be due to so many birds being temporarily out of sight under water. — B. Murray. [Almost certainly a concentration of the rare King (or Rough-faced) Shag. These concentrate on small feed, minute marine organisms which collect on the surface of water in colonies.—Ed.] MARLBOROUGH.— have planted for birds and have provided shelter and food with native trees, even in “dry old Marlborough”. After 40 years of study and care we have a great team of bellbirds that have made a permanent home of our garden and plantations. At present I have a pair of wild pigeons who are watching and waiting for the kowhai to show bud. We are not a native bush land. The country consists mostly of tussock, and the higher hills are sandstone rock, with a wealth of interest and lovely little gullies and beautiful little creeks that sad to say cannot flow all the year, as the rainfall is not much above 28 inches. —. T. Richmond. ENGLAND— of migratory birds. “ Winter so early is alarming —we are having severe frosts and today asked to take the migratory birds, swallows and martins indoors, they are dying in hundreds, too late to cross the Swiss mountains ; ’planes are to take them to Rome and here they have already collected.”—Letter from Dover received by Dame Elizabeth Gilmer.