Questions for Victorian wildlife experts

Submitted: Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 20:26
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Questions for Victorian wildlife experts

Having returned from a few weeks in the (remote) High Country
(and heading off again on Monday) I have three question I would
appreciate any input to:

1 - Which large animal is likely to dig to seek human toilet
waste. Wombat?

I returned to a campsite I had used a week before to find one of
my pits had been dug to a depth of about 200mm - fortunately I
had dug a deep pit so the animal gave up before it reached
"Ground Zero". I refilled the pit and poured an egg cup of two
stroke mixture on it in the hope of putting them off the scent,
no idea if that will work?

2 - Which animal (in the HC) produces stools about the size of
those of a large dog (a large wild dog perhaps?) we're talking
Alsatian size here). and I saw nor heard any other evidence of
wild dogs in this area.

3 - In one deep gully I saw a "bird" about the size of a sparrow
but it had a stuttering flight and a body more like that of a
giant moth. Wingspan was around 150mm, one wing on each side
and it swooped over a rock pool to catch an insect. Never seen
anything like this before?

Mike Harding

mike_harding@fastmail.fm
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Reply By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 20:47

Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 20:47
G'day Mike,

dogs and dingoes have been known to dig up human waste before and there are lots of large dogs recorded in the HC where the doggers are now active again after the government withdrew finance for a number of years. Dogs are very adept at keeping from view and escaping from doggers too.

Never think the HC is pristine wilderness despite what the conservationists would tell us.

On your bird, I am not sure on the description mate, but it would have difficulty flying if it didn't have a wing each side. ;-)
AnswerID: 126063

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 20:53

Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 20:53
Yep might just be dogs to Q1 & 2 but I saw no other evidence of them and I usually do?

>On your bird, I am not sure on the description mate, but it would have
>difficulty flying if it didn't have a wing each side. ;-)

:) I phrased it badly - some large dragonflies have more than one wing on each side.

Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 21:08

Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 21:08
Mike, I don't pose as an expert on those matters but dragonfles have a couple I think but that sounds like a large one. Am sure there are a few insectiverous bird species around there. I guess you know wrens and fly catchers already? Both could be described as having a stuttering flight.

When we were in the Otways back in April we were dissapointed to see few birds, so am pleased you saw some in the HC.
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Reply By: Bega Photographer - Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 21:20

Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 21:20
Hi Mike.

Any lyer birds about?

I always wondered what did all the scratching around in the bush till I camped at Thurra River in Croajingalong NP and a pair of quiet lyer birds came around. They scratch the ground with tremendous power to a depth of 30mm or 40mm and eat the grubs unearthed. Maybe it was lyer birds found your loose dirt and went a bit deeper.

Regards,
Laurie.
AnswerID: 126071

Reply By: Member - Duncs - Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 21:35

Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 21:35
Mike,

Like the others I am no expert, but is it possible that your "bird" was actually a bat? A body more like that of a giant moth and stuttering flight, could fit the description of a bat.

You don't mention anything of the "birds" colour or time of day when you saw this winged creature.

Duncs
AnswerID: 126075

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 22:12

Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 22:12
>Like the others I am no expert, but is it possible that
>your "bird" was actually a bat?

That was my first thought too, but after doing it's insect catching thing over the rock pool it flew past my head at about 1m away and it was definitely not a bat. Well... given my bat identifying capabilities – I don't think it was ... :)

>You don't mention anything of the "birds" colour

Colour was sort of darkish grey - sorry, not a very good description.

>or time of day when you saw this winged creature.

Close to noon.

Mike Harding

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Reply By: Member - Royce- Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 23:34

Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 at 23:34
Definitely a dingo... or crossbred.

Definetely a dingo or crossbred.

Dingos don't fly so.... hmmm. From the flight description and colour, probably a restless flycatcher... but surely you could tell it was a bird??

If it wasn't catching an insect but just flying, some bogong moths certainly reach this size and plenty of gum moths do to. But not usually out in the middle of the day.

Cheers Royce
AnswerID: 126087

Follow Up By: The Explorer - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 11:02

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 11:02
Yes sounds like a Flycatcher (several possible species - most common is Restless Flycatcher) or Grey Fantail. Bases on the limited imformation provided Im going for a Grey Fantail.

With respect to diggings and stools - maybe Truckster:)

Cheers
Greg
I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 11:22

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 11:22
Just had a look at the colour pics. of Flycatchers in my book "A field guide to the birds of Australia" and what I saw was nothing like any of them.

Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: The Explorer - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 11:46

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 11:46
Mmm Ok - what bird in your book does it resemble ?

good bird site here ...if you you have morcombes book
http://www.mmbirds.com/

Cheers
Greg
I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 18:36

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 18:36
>Mmm Ok - what bird in your book does it resemble ?

None. Which is why I posted the question here but I appreciate that my description is so poor as to be next to useless.

My _guess_ is that it was some kind of moth but it was a hell of a lot bigger and flew in a different manner to any moth I've seen in Australia or anywhere else. I'm heading back there tomorrow, I'll take my camera this time.

Thanks for the website.

Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: The Explorer - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 22:00

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 22:00
"My _guess_ is that it was some kind of moth "

Mike - no super expert on the subject but as far as I know there are no insectivourous moths - they eat (suck) nectar...so reported observations dont fit identifcation as a large moth...anyway check these beauty's out
Hawk Moths

Cheers
Greg

I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

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Reply By: D-Jack - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 00:42

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 00:42
I did hear stories about Tasmanian Tigers being spotted on rare occasions in the Vic HC - climate similar to that in Tasmania, or maybe hybrids.

As for the flying thing, I have seen bats so similar things that you describe. Maybe a vampire. Watch out next time.
AnswerID: 126098

Follow Up By: The Explorer - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 22:05

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 22:05
"or maybe hybrids"

Hybrids with what? Keep in mind they are (were) a Marsupial - while some Victorians have been known to attempt crossbreeding with marsupials I dont think any have been successful:)

Tas tigers were present on mainland Aus up till about 2000 years ago - apparenty competion with dingoes (among other things) caused there demise.
Cheers
Greg

I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

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