Since I reviewed the Australian Little Bittern (ALB) records for the first 31 years of the COG database (see
Canberra Bird Notes June 2013),
there has been a change in the months in which the species has been recorded. For the first 31 years, records were limited to November to March. I do not have access to the COG database but the annual reports since then indicate an extension
of records into April, June and July. Since my last review, ALB has been recorded on eBird in April, June, July, September, and October. There are no ACT records for May or August in ebird, Birdata or Atlas of Living Australia (ALA). However, there records
for all months for NSW and Victoria in ALA* and Birdata (but not ebird).
As I am trying to build a picture of ALB in the COG AOI, I would like to know if anyone has records for the missing months in the COG AOI. If possible, I would appreciate knowing the date, location and sex of the bird(s),
and if you have a photo. I am also interested in any records not recorded on eBird, Birdata or ALA for any month. If anyone has records for PNG not on eBird, I would also be interested in those.
Thanks.
Steve
* There are also records in all months for Queensland and Western Australia in ALA but not for NT (no records in June, Sept or October) and SA (no records in April or June). For the 13 records for PNG on eBird, all occur
between November and March.
