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George Swann is just back from 15 days on Ashmore
Reef. He got the first report for continental Australia of
White-breasted Waterhen, the second record of
Pale-headed Mannikin (photographed) and the first record for WA
of Nutmeg Mannikin. George is the only birder to have seen
Pale-headed Mannikin in Australia, having got the first record (3 birds
accepted by BARC) at the same location a few years ago. The Waterhen is on
the Australian list by virtue of its expanding presence on Christmas Is. Nutmeg
Mannikin is otherwise known as Scaly-breasted Munia or
Spice Finch. There are some 13 subspecies of this taxon so it will be
interesting to learn which he saw. The form considered to have been introduced
to Queensland is topela which occurs naturally in Thailand and China.
Sumbae is the subspecies which occurs to the NW on Sumba
but blasii, the form resident on Timor seems more likely. This
could be the first naturally occurring Nutmeg Mannikin in Australia, at least
that we know about.
Incidentally, BARC has just accepted one of our
sightings of Jouanin's Petrel off Ashmore from October 2000. Our trip
there this year will be from 20 to 27 September. There are still a few
berths left if anyone is interested.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mt
Eliza VIC 3930
Ph: (03) 9787
7136
Email:
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