Rain and LPS

Dear observers and participants,

Again, thank you to everyone who made observations this week.

Also, welcome to our two most recent contributors #dunlop3 and #tidebreaker.

In the coming week we will have significant rainfall over much of the area where Lorikeet Paralysis is known to occur. In the past we have seen a surge of LPS cases following major rainfall events. We think that when it rains, lorikeets may be forced to feed on plants that they would normally not feed on and thus be exposed to toxic plants. So keep an eye out for lorikeets feeding on unusual plants and be sure to report these observations.

We have been able to recruit an additional scientist to our LPS team. Dr. Mainity Batista Linhares is a pathologist and toxicologist from the University of Queensland and her thoughts on the possible causes of LPS and ability to screen for toxins will help the project.

The eucaplypt trees around my office are in full bloom and the lorikeets are making the most of them. Late last week I was walking around the building and lorikeets, corellas, cockatoos were making a ruckus. At the center of the ruckus was a recently fledged powerful owl. With a bit more observing, a tawny frogmouth was also present in the adjacent tree. It kept opening its mouth and perhaps it was also mobbing the owl.

Thanks again to every one who is supporting this project and all the best.

David, Maya, and Lauren

Publicado el 05 de noviembre de 2021 a las 10:18 PM por david4262