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I am actually responding to Con's Mulligan's
Flat report, but in a general sense.
Con's report of a Pied Butcherbird
triggered this report.
That species is reported in Steve Wilson's
"Two Centuries of Change" book, as being subject to occasional sightings in the
ACT, notably at Mulligan's Flat.
Similarly, Black-tailed Native Hens are
subject to "irruptions in large numbers are a feature of the life history of
this inland bird" (SJW op cit). These
birds have been frequently reported on this forum in recent
weeks.
The same pattern obtains for the Whiskered
Terns which are currently at Jerrabomberra Wetlands (Kelly's
Swamp).
Similarly, Western Warblers, and the now
seemingly commonplace Superb Parrot, and the no-doubt about to be annoying
Koel.
Occasional reports of Diamond Doves at the
Newline Quarry (from memory in this case) further demonstrate the point I am
trying to make.
I am ignoring the now commonplace Crested
Pigeons and Corellas (and of course, Galahs).
At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious,
Canberra is obviously experiencing a dry season influx of birds which were
seldom if ever seen there when I was a resident, in those cooler, wetter years
from 1959 to 2000.
Next suggestion:- watch out for Pratincoles.
I shall leave it to more experienced
commentators to assess if this is a 'Seasonal Blip" or Climate Change in action.
But I feel the trend ought be noted, not
just the species reported (as if they are "normal").
In the long term records for COG, these
reports are far from "normal".
I salute the good work done by Philip
Veerman and Martin and other COG statisticians. But I ask that they
please do not take me to task for unscientific use of the statistical term
"normal". That's why I put it in quotes.
But I cannot resist trying to draw
together a pattern from individual records, which with 50 years of
birdwatching in the Canberra region behind me (as of this week)
is strikingly obvious.
Cheers
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