Another sign of winters approach Restless Flycatcher

["Philip Veerman" <>]

This was discussed just over a year ago after an observation from Mark. I'll append a copy here and a copy of the text from The GBS Report, which going by Steve's graphs, appears to me to be as relevant now as it was 10 years ago. 

 

About the call for putting in all records for the species: Sure that is a good idea. However in terms of comparisons with past years to determine if there is a change, that depends on assessing changes in methods. It could result in an apparent increase, if all are now recorded but in past years they weren't. However if people really try to find them and we still get few records and we can compare that to unstructured recollections of more of them, in early years, well that may suggest a real change. The really good thing about the GBS method is that it attempts to record all species equally over time in a fairly consistent method (or as good as can be done with a volunteer survey).

 

Philip

 

Mon 6/02/2012 5:25 PM

 

I reckon that is probably correct, in my limited time. Although I have encountered them around Tharwa visitors centre and several sites around there in recent years. I certainly had them on my GBS in my early years in Kambah but not for many years since. Though that is just me. Actually it is curious to note from The GBS Report that their annual pattern of abundance is incredibly strongly marked, (normally low numbers in summer), whereas their long term abundance is all over the place, in a complete lack of trend. Few species have such a strong difference of concludability (I don't think that is a word but run with it anyway) between the two graphs. I'm sure this latter is mainly due to sampling issues and that the species (within the context of the GBS)  mostly inhabits suburban outskirts, that are probably the more variable participants year by year in the GBS. After all it was only recorded on an average of 7% of sites per year. 

 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----From: Mark Clayton [ Sent: Monday, 6 February 2012 5:31 PM    To: 'CanberraBirds'
Subject: [canberrabirds] Restless Flycatcher

Hi all,

 

As I was leaving CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences ( The old Wildlife Division under its various names) I saw a Restless Flycatcher, the first I have seen in the ACT – I did hear one 2 years ago near Gundaroo – in about 4 years. This is a species that was once quite common locally but as Canberra has expanded is becoming increasingly uncommon to my eyes and a species where we need to get ALL recordings into the COG database. I will be putting an incidental record sheet in for this sighting.

 

Mark

Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta

A woodland inhabitant, this species shows a marked contrast to the prior two species. Unlike them, it does not leave our region for northern Australia in the winter. It is a winter rather than a summer visitor to Canberra. It is probably an altitudinal migrant. Its monthly pattern resembles an intriguing reverse of that of the Grey Shrike-thrush. Although the pattern and abundance vary widely over the years, for all years combined it is remarkably smooth. After a winter arrival, they leave over a short period in early spring to go to breeding areas in the less disturbed woodland and riverine environment outside the city. Then in different months in different years they return, from a minimum in November, it rises very smoothly to a peak in July. Very likely post breeding, the birds move slowly towards the suburban habitat and only stay briefly. They can be widespread. There are only few records involving birds staying at a site for several weeks. They tend to be just one or two birds, with many isolated observations of birds passing through without staying long. Long-term numbers have fluctuated widely with just a hint of a decrease.
Graphs on page: 101, Rank: 96, A = 0.00477, F = 7.08%, W = 9.8, R = 0.453%, G = 1.05.

 

-----Original Message-----From: wallaces [ Sent: Saturday, 23 March 2013 9:57 AM      To:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Another sign of winters approach Restless Flycatcher

I agree with Mark that the best way we can learn about what is happening is to record your observations.

 

Attached is a file showing the reporting rate graphs for Restless Flycatcher (general records and GBS). Please note the difference in scale which will emphasise smaller movements in the GBS data.