Re: FW: [canberrabirds] What status? "Rare to locally common"

[martin butterfield <>]

Peafowl; Rocky Knoll, Narrabundah?

On 13 October 2012 17:48, Geoffrey Dabb <> wrote:

I would very much like to know (a) the species that is all around one in a camping spot where they are the only ones for 500km, and (b) the spot.

 

From: Ian Fraser [
Sent: Saturday, 13 October 2012 5:40 PM
Cc:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] What status? "Rare to locally common"

 

I think the answer Matt, is that it depends where you saw it. We could offer a better answer if we knew what you'd seen, but one example could be a rare species - say a honeyeater or a finch - which is in low numbers overall, but which sometimes flocks when resources (flowers or seeds respectively in their case) are concentrated. For a while, in that one place, the bird would be 'locally common'. There is also the situtation of an overall rare species which survives in good numbers in a few isolated sites. You might drive for days without seeing one, then camp in a particular forest site and have them all round you - but they might be the only ones for 500km. There are doubtless other circumstances that others might suggest too, but overall the concept isn't as daft as it first sounds.

Now, what was it? (and where!)

cheers

Ian

On 13/10/2012 17:26, pardalote wrote:

Hi All

I have recently encountered a bird species which is described in my Slater Field Guide as being "rare to locally common."  I don't understand what this means, and to me, seems to be a contradiction of itself.  My understanding of "rare" and "common" don't seem to fit.  Could someone please explain to me what this means?  Is the bird species I have seen rare, or common?

Matt.

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Ian Fraser, 

Environment Tours; Vertego Environmental Consultancy

PO Box 4148, Weston Creek, ACT 2611

ph: 61 2 6287 4813  

Blog: http://ianfrasertalkingnaturally.blogspot.com.au 

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Martin Butterfield

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