Regular Double-brooding by Clamorous Reed-Warblers Acrocephalus stentoreus in the Canberra Region

Abstract

During territory-mapping of the breeding bird community on the campus of the Australian National University, Canberra, in the 1978-79 season 36 territories of the Clamorous Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus were recorded. In 29 territories dependent young were heard and/or seen (a search for nests was not undertaken) between early November and early March; in all 39 broods were recorded. Of these 11 were found between early November and late December, 28 between early January and early March. In 19 of the territories only one brood was noted, however in 10 both a first and a second brood were recorded. Additional observations in other years in the same area and elsewhere in the Canberra region have confirmed that at least part of the Reed-Warbler population raises two broods in a season.