It is a most exciting birding time for sure however I subscribe to a
view that most of the exceptional bird reports over the past decade are
due to the increase of knowledgeable environmental observers operating
and networking in the field combined with greater mobility than ever
before using sophisticated quality equipment including 4WD, boats and
aeroplanes, easier access to remote and exotic sites, availability of
better and more immediate information, and availability of high quality
optics including scopes and sophisticated recording instruments,
especially digital cameras,
Obviously weather events cause ornithological disruptions but in the
past there were few competent observers in the affected areas to see
what was happening.
Ian May
PO Box 110, St Helens, Tas. 7216
0428337956
Currently at Price S.A.
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Mike Carter wrote:
Not to mention a well photographed Aerodramus Swiftlet on Home Island,
Cocos (Keeling) Islands on 15 January. This I consider to be a
Himalayan Swiftlet. Other rarities first seen last year but present
during a visit there 11-17 January by Andrew Wood, Dawn Neylan, Alison
Kuiter and myself include a Javan Pond Heron, Chinese Sparrowhawk,
Asian Koels, the long staying Eurasian Teal, Common Redshanks, and the
now annual Saunders's Terns. A single photo of most are on Alison's
Facebook page. It should be noted though that the weather at that time
in that region of the world was very benign.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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