Hi All,
Not so sure about the 'birding karma' (though I have been enjoying
about the humour of this thread). However, on Long Service Leave in
2004, we did lots of birding (though mostly fairly cursory) in lots
of areas. In KAtherine on the way north, we bought a little locally
produced guide booklet, giving directions for lots of top end
specialties. We managed to track some of them down following the
guide's directions (most satisfyingly, the Hooded PArrots South of
Katherine). However, we checked lots of their recommended places
(some 'sure sites') for Northern Rosella, but always without luck.
As we were heading back south again after 'doing' Darwin, Kakadu,
etc. We called in at Copperfield Dam, just out of Pine Creek, to
look for Partridge Pigeons (which we never saw), and after a few
minutes searching, a pair of Northern Rosellas flew into a low
scrubby Eucalypt, and gave us cracking views!
I agree, often the best way to see a target bird is not REALLY to be
looking for it!!
John & Shirley Tongue
Ulverstone, Tas.
On 03/08/2007, at 8:40 PM, L&L Knight wrote:
My perspective on birding karma, is that unless you are going to
see a known bird/group of birds at a known location [eg BBBQ at
Inskip Pt] or you have detailed notes as to where to look and what
to look for [eg Carpentarian Grasswrens on McNamarra's Rd], you
will not find the species you are looking for. You will find other
birds, and some of which may well be "ticks", but the fact you are
looking for a species will put the mockers on your search.
For example, if you go to do some pelagic twitching in an area you
haven't been to before, and you want to see Petrel X, you will in
fact get to see Petrels Y & Z [possibly ticks] but not X. I'm not
sure if Douglas Adams described this sort of thing [I know he
discussed the inability of people to see "someone else's problem"].
Sometimes, the best way to see a target species is to keep a casual
eye out in at a spot where you aren't counting on seeing it. For
example, I hadn't seen Rufous Bristlebirds before my recent visit
to Melbourne. I was told that they were at Pt Addis, so on my way
to the Pt, my car load of passengers and I stopped off at Bells
Beach to see what all the surfing hype was all about. The second
bird I saw when I hopped out of the car was a Rufous Bristlebird,
and there were other birds calling in the heath. When I proceeded
to Pt Addis, there were no Rufous Bristlebirds to be seen or heard.
Similarly, because I was looking for neophema parrots both at the
WTP, there were no parrots of any description to be seen.
Regards, Laurie.
On Friday, August 3, 2007, at 07:54 PM, Carl Clifford wrote:
Carl,
I recently had a Karmic birding experience. In April I started off
an 11 week birding trip to Thailand and Malaysia. I began the trip
at Khao Nor Chu Chi in S. Thailand to try and see the legendary
Gurney's Pitta.
On my first morning there I set off to do a walk along the famous
"U" trail, thinking that I would be pretty lucky to see a Gurney's
in the 4 days I was to spend there, let alone that morning, but i
would have a wander and see what turns up. Less than an hour into
the trail, I heard a male Gurney's calling. After more than 10
minutes of creeping along the trail, trying to look as much like a
part of the landscape, there he was perched on a termite mound
calling away at the top of his voice. I had an excellent, though
brief view of this beautiful little bird before he spotted me and
was off. I have read of people who spend days on the tails at Khao
Nor Chu Chi and not see the little blighter and I saw it in the
first hour. Was I pleased with myself.
I paid for that smugness at 4 AM next morning when my mobile rang.
It was a friend of my Mother, calling to say that Mum was
seriously ill in Hospital and I had better get back. So off I went
and said bye-bye to Thailand. I will probably get back one day,
but I won't be so smug about my sightings, particularly in a
Buddhist country where Karma seems to work so well.
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