Odd atlas records in sw Victoria

["Mules, Michael" <>]

Hi all,

following Steve's suggestion, I had a look at the two blocks where I have done most of my birdwatching; the two blocks to the east of Melbourne (Lat -39, Long 145 - Lat -38, Long 146 and Lat -38, Long 145 - Lat -37, Long 146), which covers most of the Mornington Peninsula, South Gippsland  across to Cape Liptrap, the Strzeleckis, Latrobe Valley and some of the Baw Baws. 

What I found was mostly expected birds, with a fair few species that although unusual were definitely possible for the blocks and over 30 species that are either highly unlikely to be correct sightings, or are out-and-out wrong (such as Long-billed Black Cockatoo, Western Spinebill, Tasmanian Native-hen, White-browed Treecreeper, Black Currawong).  Most of the ones I think are incorrect will probably have been from simple mixed identifications; It's fairly easy to guess which species these are meant to be.

So I'm seconding Steve's comments: are the Atlas records going to be double-checked for inconsistencies?

Cheers, Michael

Michael Mules
Curator, Science Program
Museum Victoria
Melbourne Museum, Carlton

Ph: 8341 7426