Surveyors Hill, I believe is in NSW to the NW of the ACT, just over the border.
The status descriptions in Annual Bird Reports are derived from the COG Annotated Checklist of the Birds of The ACT (latest issue17/12/14), so the descriptors
apply primarily to the ACT, not the ACT and Region, although Annual Bird Reports
do
cover the COG Area of Concern, ie. the ACT and Region.
So I expect, until the Pied Butcherbird is found breeding in the ACT, it will be described as ‘non-breeding.’
Of course, in any case, breeding, is not a requirement for inclusion the Annotated Checklist of the ACT, it includes many non-breeding migrant birds.
I’m advised the Annotated Checklist will be again revised in June this year. Formerly, the Pied Butcherbird was apparently less common in the ACT and Region
, eg ‘Very rare vagrant’ (COG and Taylor 1992). Perhaps its a bird whose status may be being influenced by climate change? Some experts have said Canberra’s climate will be more like Dubbo in the future.
Very clearly, ‘Bird Info’ shows most of COG’s records of this species are from the north of the ACT.
Ian Baird
From: Philip Veerman [
Sent: Monday, 18 May 2015 11:12 PM
To: 'Stuart Harris'; 'canberrabirds'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Carn tha Pies!
Maybe. But fundamental to your comment, is the question: are they breeding here?
From: Stuart Harris
Sent: Monday, 18 May 2015 6:44 PM
To: canberrabirds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Carn tha Pies!
After starting pruning at a new vineyard (Surveyor Hill) today, I was delighted to be serenaded by three Pied Butcherbirds. The recent COG Annual Bird report lists this species as rare, non-breeding visitor. The report (as I understand
it) is a compilation of information and records up till 30JUN14. Considering the amount of reports of this species from the past ten months, usually from the west and north/west of Canberra, it may be prudent to revise the status of this species in the next
COG Annual Bird report. I have seen one or two Pied Butcherbirds regularly at another vineyard (Brindabella Hills) which is only two kilometers away.
Uncommon, breeding resident may be more appropriate me thinks ?
