To readers of this line who do not live in
Canberra or involve themselves with any of the recreational birdy sub-options
on offer, I might mention that the interest shown in particular birds from time
to time is due to people pursuing one or other of the ‘ticking’
sub-options. Many local observers like to build a list of birds they have
personally ticked in the ACT, either in a particular year or ever. For
that purpose, a bird like a White-fronted Chat that usually could be found with
a determined search within an hours drive of Canberra is a matter of some
interest, indeed of intense interest to an ACT ticker who has never ticked one
in the ACT . To give you an idea of the geography hereabouts, here are
some places that are not in the ACT: Queanbeyan (although, confusingly,
its sewage ponds are), Lake George, Jerrabomberra Estate Stages 1, 2, 3, 4, and
5 (unlike Jerrabomberra wetlands, creek, oval and avenue), Murrumbateman, most
of the southern flight path of Canberra airport, Durras, North Durras, South
Durras, Wamboin, Googong Dam (even though it provides most of Canberra’s
water), and the estuaries of (in fact the entire watersheds of) the Clyde, Shoalhaven,
Moruya and Tuross Rivers. Contrary to the belief of some, the Jervis Bay
Territory is not part of
the ACT. [ACT laws apply in JBT, but, then, they also apply in Antarctica.] There is no reason why a ticker could not
decide to add JBT birds to his or her ACT list, but to do so would be to risk
confusion when he or she wanted to compare his or her ticks with those of an
ACT ticker strictly defined.
From: Steve Holliday [
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2006 3:51
PM
To:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds]
White-fronted Chats near Weston Creek
Two chats were seen in the same place around 11.30 this
morning
