PIPs return to Cairns – what about YOUR area? Aug 2014

During the first week of August a small group of PIPs was sighted flying past Cape Weymouth (thanks Brian) and one PIP spotted at Low Isles (thanks Jenni). During the second week a solitary PIP was seen on two occasions at Wonga (thanks Gary) and two PIPs were spotted flying past Cairns Esplanade (thanks Graham!).

The earliest sightings could perhaps have been stragglers that remained in Queensland over winter (after the majority had migrated to PNG for their short winter break) but a ‘new season’ was clearly under way during the second half of August.

More PIPs were spotted in and around Cairns and a few at Green Island during the third week of August (thanks Gerry, Carolyn, Brian and Graham) although there were only small numbers and widely scattered observations.

The first report for Townsville came in right at the end of the month (thanks Jenny) but as yet none further south.

When you see your first PIPs of the season, please put in a report here.

Last stragglers – April and early May 2014

The majority of PIPs left during February and March this year, making for an early end to the PIP breeding season.

A few birds were still around during the first two weeks of April. There were occasional observations from Port Douglas, Cairns and Townsville as well as Low Isles and Green Island.

Last report for this season (thanks Graham!) was a lone PIP seen flying over Banksia Street in Mooroobool on May 6.

PIPS are not normally solitary creatures and survival prospects would be poor for birds left behind after the flocks departed. But – just-maybe – some individuals might be lucky and survive until the flocks return next season… good luck PIP stragglers!

Breeding season ends early this year – March 2014

PIP numbers seemed to have dropped sharply at Low lsles and Green Island, according to informal observations. There were formal counts this month.

Already last month (February 2014) it seemed things were not going well for nesting PIPs. At Low Isles nests were seen to be prematurely abandoned, leaving either an unhatched egg or a young chick with no chance of survival.

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There was no local disturbance to account for these sad losses. It was probably a shortage of food that forced PIPs to abandon breeding efforts.

Island-breeding PIPs rely entirely on mainland food resources, predominantly rainforest fruits. This is of course the reason that breeding PIPs fly great distances daily, to seek food in distant forests and return to their nests on the island.

We can only speculate that native trees may have been stressed by the prolonged period of low rainfall experienced in the far North region, and may not have produced their normal abundance of fruit. That would have left PIPs without sufficient ‘fuel’ to complete the breeding cycle.

Green Island PIP count Feb 2014

The latest PIP count at Green Island took place on a calm afternoon, February 15. Numbers were greatly reduced from last month. Carolyn and Gerry recorded just over 4,500 incoming birds on (totals 4,580 and 4,590 for their concurrent independent counts).

To Gerry and Carolyn, BIG thanks yet again!

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Green Island – photo courtesy Tourism Queensland

Green Island PIP count Jan 2014

Gerry and Carolyn quickly organised a count trip on January 18 when the weather cleared after a very rainy week in Cairns.

This month their count was just over 8,000 incoming PIPs – very good news.

Many thanks to Gerry and Carolyn who are doing regular Green Island counts entirely by their own efforts.

Green Island PIP count Dec 2013

Another big round of thanks to Gerry and Carolyn who again made a special trip out to ensure the monthly Green Island count was not missed.

Gerry and Carolyn reported a total of 7,168/7,201 incoming PIPs (concurrent independent counts) on 28 December 2013.

They noticed many PIPs seemed to be returning to the island later than usual, possibly due to the calm, bright conditions that evening.

Green Island PIP count Nov 2013

Gerry and Carolyn reported just over 6,600 incoming PIPs at Green Island On the last day of November. Their totals were 6,657 and 6,629 for concurrent independent counts.

A Green Island count had been planned for earlier in the month but did not work out. It looked as if this month would be missed entirely… but in the nick of time Gerry and Carolyn stepped in – BIG thank you!