Well on the subject of first birds, mine of course was a koel, as usual, the excited sounds of which roused me from my bed at 0630. Standing in the golden sunlight of Rocky Knob, koel sounds had retreated into the distance but I did snap that archetypal Aus bird - a galah quietly nibbling tender leaflets of African Box-thorn. Maybe a dozen other species around about including a few sibilant weebills in the E cinerea plantings, as usual. It was impossible to ignore the great golden balloon that came drifting over. The passenger in the chilly gear would be surprised to learn that their evidently boring start to the new year had been captured pictorially, but if they’re going to float over our backyards taking photos of US, I don’t see why we shouldn’t take photos of THEM
From: Mark Clayton [
Sent: Tuesday, 1 January 2013 9:09 AM
To: 'Scott Ryan';
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Big Year 2012 Congratulations
G’day Scott and all,
Do you know what Brendan’s “top” species were?
Just out of curiosity, are there any rules or “governing bodies” that vet records for these sorts of exercises or is the whole thing done on “trust”? I know when I have done “twitchathons” that there are rules to be followed, and that teams I have been in have followed these rules completely. Does anyone know what the OFFICIAL record is for the ACT, where records of vagrants etc have been through the rarities committee?
So far my ACT 2013 list is ............... Australian Magpie and Pied Currawong but I did sleep in this morning – I can hear a Common Blackbird calling, does that count?. That’s 208 (207 with the blackbird) to go to beat Brendan ....!!!
Happy New Year all,
Mark
Happy New Year, Canberra Birders!!
Just a quick note to say a big congratulations to Brendan Sheean on his first crack at an ACT 'Big Year'.
I believe his final tally was 209, a very impressive total, & I believe second only to Milburn for the year.
Well done to all & happy birding for 2013. Lets hope this year may bring us some rarities again :-)
