Re: White-browed Woodswallows

[martin butterfield <>]

Philip

The RAOU, and now Birds Australia, have a number of codes for unidentified species including "Corella species" and "Crow and Raven species".  COG adopted the "Woodswallow species" approach a couple of years ago when some experienced observers indicated that they were able to determine the birds were within the site and the number of birds but could not guess the species mix. 

Martin

On Tue, Nov 1, 2011 at 10:27 PM, Philip Veerman <> wrote:

Martin,

 

Your message about there is now a special code for "Woodswallow sp" I first thought you are joking but the message context appears not to be in jest. I sort of understand a rationale for a code for unidentified views such as this, as it prevents information being lost, when in such a case it is actually reasonable to assume that they are White-browed Woodswallows. I am surprised to see this promulgated in this way it is odd to have it mentioned in passing. I am concerned that would be a significant change in data collection methods and I wonder if and to what extent such a special codes exist or maybe are planned. Do we have codes for (unidentified) raptor, thornbill, swallow/martin, honeyeater, etc. The latter two of which often travel in mixed species flocks and clearly true that many newer birders would have difficulty knowing what each one is and the most experienced of us still make broad guesses at numbers and would still miss some species identifications. How would such data be handled, compiled within long term trends etc?

 

Philip

 

 

-----Original Message-----From: martin butterfield [ Sent: Tuesday, 1 November 2011 8:18 PM
To: Philip Veerman     Cc:      Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] White-browed Woodswallows

Philip is quite correct to be a bit conservative since he wasn't sure whther the birds were within his site, not the number of them.  However, recognising that it is often difficult to establish which species is present when they are high and in flight, there is now a special code for "Woodswallow sp" and people are welcome to use that when they cannot split the flock between species.

Martin

On Tue, Nov 1, 2011 at 8:09 PM, Philip Veerman <> wrote:

About 2 pm today I could hear a flock of Woodswallows, high over my house. I tried really hard, but even with clear skies and with binoculars I could not see any of them. It raised the question as to where they were. Given that I could not see them, they were probably several hundred metres away. I note that as sound travels at about 330 metres per second, the time it took for the sound to reach me, they may not have still been where I thought they were when the sound was issued. But maybe just too high to see. Either way I don't know which species, or how many, so I think I'll need to wait till I get a better view to put them on my GBS Chart. I suspect they would be (mainly) White-browed Woodswallows as I don't think the Dusky makes the same chirp sound.

 

Philip Veerman

24 Castley Circuit

Kambah  ACT  2902

 

02 - 62314041