Waterbird numbers lowest in 20 years

[Andrew Taylor <>]

On Fri, Oct 29, 2004 at 10:54:50AM +0930, Ian May wrote:
> Before we forecast imminent global crisis and extinction, we need to 
> benchmark what is normal.  The described survey period of only 20 years 
> commenced in the early 1980's, ...

I agree with the general point but the "only 20 years" is a bit unfair
to Richard Kingsford whose annual census of SE Australia waterbirds in
is a spectacular and extremely commendable undertaking.  Data collected
for this length of time and on this scale is unusual.  Its rare that we
have even this much insight into what is normal.

Andrew Taylor
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