Single observer records (of anything) should always be regarded with
a degree of healthy skepticism. Birds that are obviously in transit
are rarely observed again and seldom offer the opportunity to obtain
a photograph. I believe that it is important to record and publicise
these observations because patterns may become established at some
point in the future, particularly because subsequent observers have
been alerted to the possibility that a species may be recorded in
areas where they have not been reported previously.
I am able to think of no better examples than from the first trip out
to Ashmore Reef. I identified 3 Jouanin''s Petrels and one Swinhoe's
Storm-Petrel on this trip and this generated heated debate every
evening between those who agreed and disagreed. Both of these
species have been observed on just about every subsequent trip in
October and, with excellent photographs being obtained
subsequently,nobody now doubts that these two species are present in
Australian waters.
If people have doubts then by all means air them. I believe that is
one of the strengths of this type of forum.
Milburn
--
The Milburns
8 Miller Street
O'Connor
ACT 2602
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