Exploring Pigeon Valley: The ways species interact

This is the 33rd in an ongoing series that highlights the riches of Pigeon Valley, the urban nature reserve in the heart of Glenwood. The focus of this article is on the ways in which species interact with each other.

One way in which different species relate to each other in Pigeon Valley is of course eating or being eaten. However, all the time species are in the same place and having to accommodate each other in other ways, and this can give rise to some intriguing situations. Over the weekend I had a chance to witness one such interaction between a Blue Duiker and a Black Sparrowhawk.

ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Red-capped Robin-chat

Often Black Sparrowhawks like to hang around bird baths, but more often they sit in them. This time a Blue Duiker approached to get a drink of water. As I watched, the bird allowed the antelope to come to the bird bath, but did not get out of the way. The Blue Duiker drank, cautiously, for a time. I noticed the Sparrowhawk checking on me before finally giving its stern attention to the Blue Duiker, which he then insisted must leave. It was if it had decided ‘He’s had what he needs, and now enough is enough!’

You can watch this part of the interaction:

We humans watch various species, and are of course watched in turn. I have a suspicion that some birds, especially the seed eaters, become relaxed around humans, perhaps because they sense that predators will be deterred by our presence.

Crispin Hemson chairs the Friends of Pigeon Valley, a group that undertakes clearing of alien plants, keeps records of bird and mammal sightings and alerts management to any problems.

The Friends have a monthly walk at 7.30am on the second Saturday of each month. Email: friendsofpigeonvalley1@gmail.com.

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