THERE’S a magpie mystery playing out in Coomba Park.
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A number of people have contacted the Great Lakes Advocate to let us know about a couple of red and black magpies joining their regular back yard flocks. We’re not sure how many there are, but at least two have been spotted in the last few weeks.
And in recent days we have been made aware of some yellow and gold ones.
Maureen Harlock, one of our Coomba magpie correspondents emailed saying: “In the last two weeks I have had two red and black magpies join my regular flock that come for a feed each day. Can't find any reference in bird books or on the internet.”
And today (September 24) she updated us saying:
"Now I know someone is messing with my mind as I now have one yellow/gold magpie and three red ones."
She wonders if somebody may have dyed them.
“The more mature of the two red ones is a bright vermillion red where it would normally be white. The younger bird is more pink tones. The colours haven't washed off in recent rain.”
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service ranger based at Booti Booti National Park Rachel Kempers also thinks they have been dyed.
“This is definitely not something we would encourage. People might think it’s funny but it could do damage to the bird. Particularly coming into spring it could have trouble breeding.”
Sahe is also keen to remind people that all native birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals (except the dingo) are protected in NSW by the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.