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Hi Birders,
No-one has had a reflection about 2002 yet (or at least I
missed it if they did). perhaps because it pales into insignificance
compared to the Dooley exploits (bravo old chap, I knew you'd make
it).
For me 2002 saw me get 274 species for the year, my best in 5
years of birding to date and possibly a target that will take some beating now
that I am a stay at home dad without a company car to visit Bairnsdale or
Portland in! This number included 41 new species largely thanks to a trip
to Queensland via SA and outback NSW. 41 newies was the best for a few
years as well. Best among them were the Red-necked Phalarope, Brahminy
Kite, Glossy Black Cocky. Regent Bowerbird (I guess, but they were practically
domestic birds) and Wompoo Fruit-dove. Also the inclusion finally of
Nightjars, with White-throated on Dool's twitch in January at Gembrook Vic, and
Spotted at Gluepot, were I nearly ran him over at 6 in the evening.
Disappointments include dipping on Maleefowl at Gluepot and not seeing an Osprey
despite driving from Brisbane to Melbourne via the coast.
2003 will start with a trip to Brissy and two weeks at
O'reilly's with a possibility of a month at Uluru in June at 10 days at Gypsy
Point, so it could be another good birding year. First bird for the new
year was not an Owl after midnight, but a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets at our new
house in Frankston Vic, not something we got at Berwick.
I hope everyone has a great new year and lots of great birding
experiences.
Stuart
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