Yes, a truly remarkable piece of field work that I would think (being perhaps guilty of understatement here) few Canberra observers would be capable of achieving, lacking any previous
knowledge of the species for one thing. The summary decision is attached. The submission was on the COG ‘Unusual Bird Report’ form and is 3mb. I think Alastair mentioned it to me some time after, and I thought ‘Interesting, but just one of those unknowable
possibilities’. So valuable to have this confirmation as a result of the extra effort by the observers in pursuing recognition.
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of Cornelia Battisson via Canberrabirds
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2024 9:48 PM
To: Kim Farley <>
Cc:
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Pin-tailed Snipe at Jerra
It’s a shame we are just hearing about it now!
From: Canberrabirds
On Behalf Of Kim Farley via Canberrabirds
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2024 7:17 PM
To: Ian Fraser <>
Cc: Cog line <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Pin-tailed Snipe at Jerra
A very exciting record. Thank you for sharing it with us Ian. Excellent work on the part of Alistair and Milburn, with sharp work in getting that recording on the phone.
On Sat, May 11, 2024 at 11:49 AM Ian Fraser via Canberrabirds <> wrote:
I’ve just been sent a copy of Birds Australia Rarities Committee (BARC)
Report #1257, regarding a 2022 record of a Pin-tailed Snipe at
Jerrabomberra, which has just been accepted by the committee. The report
is not yet available on the BARC website, which appears to be behind due
to the redesigning of the overall BA website. The record is described in
the report as ‘remarkable’, unsurprisingly given that it is the first
substantiated record from the entire east coast of Australia. The
observers – local birders Alastair Smith and Peter Milburn – noted
subtle differences from Latham’s Snipe in size, short tail and trailing
legs, but crucially they also noted the difference in call and were able
to obtain a usable recording of it on a phone (I find that bit
remarkable too!) which they then converted to a sonogram. I guess the
issue now is, was this an ultra-unlikely vagrant, or have they been
present all along? If the latter, they’re certainly not common or the
banding studies would presumably have turned one up by now. In any case,
an excellent piece of field ornithology and follow-up research.
cheers
Ian
---
Ian Fraser,
ph: 0427 207 412
Blog:
http://ianfrasertalkingnaturally.blogspot.com.au
---
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SUMM1257.doc
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