Yes
all fair enough and generally good advice for both these species in our
area. Particularly your para 2.
The
additional information you now give is comparing a first reaction, to a later
conclusion, after giving yourself more time to observe more detail. (A good
system.) In that case either outcome has enhanced credibility. The
situation can apply to many difficult bird id situations, where with more time
you can include more features.
The analogy of circularity is more that if one starts off expecting
outcome A (as experience shows as the more likely), then unless there is
independent evidence of the less likely outcome B, presumably by extending
the observation and getting more detail, the best option remains to go by
outcome A, even if it may be wrong, because you did not find the proof either
way.
Philip
There is a certain amount of circularity, in that if one starts off
expecting outcome A one is likely to find it, rather than the less likely
outcome B. However what I meant by it has "stood me in good stead" is that
on occasions where I have seen a dark flycatcher and am tempted to say "Satin" I
try to get the best possible look it to confirm the identity and in nearly all
cases it has resolved to a Leaden. I can only think of 1 case where I
ended up concluding that it was in fact a Satin (and that was with A N Other
present for discussion).
With other birds that I have recorded as Satin Flycatcher - mainly in the
forests of the ranges - the identity have been so clear that I had no
doubt (but I still gave them a good looking at - both to resolve the issue and
because they are very attractive birds).
Martin
