Single observer recordsRe: [canberrabirds [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Well said Milburn. I think this forum
has proved to be excellent for mobilising/motivate the birding community,
whether it is to express an opinion or get out there and see some birds
(new or otherwise). It all started with a Red Knot! 

Follow up records of BCHE now reaffirm
my suspicion that family groups of BCHEs have relocated rather than just
individuals (like the Blue-faced HE last year) . If they are at two local
sites in Canberra there is a good chance others will be located in other
woodlands around the region. This is also reflected by the reports of Yellow-tufted
HE around Canberra and White-plumed HEs everywhere.

cheers
Richard

Milburns <>

16/06/2007 11:52 AM

To
cc
Subject	[canberrabirds] Single observer records

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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