Two new additions pending

Since I got to Kolkata from Ghana, two new potential additions derived from splits: White-bellied Whipbird (Psophodes leucogaster) of South Australia from Western Whipbird, the old Mallee Whipbird of Schodde & Mason Spotted Scrubwren (Sericronis maculatus) of primarily Western Australia from White-browed Scrubwren, long expected. Even more reason for a trip to South Australia now, . . . → Read More: Two new additions pending

Fwd: small birds

So I’ve spent a little time going through my 20-year sightings diary, & find that (leaving aside the occasionals or uncommons) there are more common / resident spp. whose decline I have not mentioned yet. These are – Whipbird, quail & button-quail spp., Bush Stone-Curlew, Grey Shrike-Thrush, Magpie-Lark (seasonal), as well as the spp. noted . . . → Read More: Fwd: small birds

Review: Craig Robson 2008/14 Birds of South-East Asia Second Edition [Helm Field Guide]

Fwd: Thai birder visit to WTP

I’m not sure how, but I seem to have accidentally deleted Mike’s message below from the list moderation queue. So forwarding it by hand.

Peter Shute

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

Hello Nonn

A short term access permit can be collected from Werribee Open Range Zoo

www.melbournewater.com.au/community-and-education/recreation/birdwatching/apply-birdwatching-permit

Won’t guarantee OBPs, but will get . . . → Read More: Fwd: Thai birder visit to WTP

Review: Craig Robson 2008/14 Birds of South-East Asia Second Edition [Helm Field Guide]

Yes, Mun did take us to a riverine park behind a shanty town east of KL where there is a fishbowl for the kingfisher and an elevated log to put meal worms on for the flycatchers and robins. We walked around the wall to follow a track – no guards to be seen.

The Malayan . . . → Read More: Review: Craig Robson 2008/14 Birds of South-East Asia Second Edition [Helm Field Guide]

Review: Craig Robson 2008/14 Birds of South-East Asia Second Edition [Helm Field Guide]

Hi Laurie and all,

I’m currently living in Kuala Lumpur, and I use both Robson and “A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore” by Allen Jeyarajasingam (illustrations by Alan Pearson).

I concur with your opinions of Robson, but unfortunately the other guide is no improvement. It has many of the same . . . → Read More: Review: Craig Robson 2008/14 Birds of South-East Asia Second Edition [Helm Field Guide]

Review: Craig Robson 2008/14 Birds of South-East Asia Second Edition [Helm Field Guide]

G’day

I purchased a copy of Robson’s guide via Fishpond prior to my visit to peninsula Malaysia a couple of weeks ago. I already had 2 field guides for the birds of Borneo [Phillipps and Myers], but they only covered a fraction of the species on the mainland.

The positives are that: 1. Robson’s guide . . . → Read More: Review: Craig Robson 2008/14 Birds of South-East Asia Second Edition [Helm Field Guide]

Thai birder visit to WTP

Hi all, a birder from Thailand got in touch, asking to observe OBP tracking at the WTP. Dr Nonn Panitvong is a committee member of the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, BirdLife’s Thai partner. Dr Nonn has only a very limited time in Melbourne. I think he may have a small chance of seeing some . . . → Read More: Thai birder visit to WTP

Birds

Here at 500m near the Glasshouses, I’m looking at the 20-year observations, & in comparison with recent changes. In SEQ this elevation appears to be differently sensitive to regional climate events, as it’s cooler & wetter than surrounding lowland habitat, which perhaps emphasises impact upon local sub-tropical spp.

Judith

> On 19 Apr . . . → Read More: Birds

small birds

Yes, the small birds are struggling with the conditions, here too. With shifts in the seasons, all species up to & incl. wattlebird-sized birds have diminished. Disappearing for long periods of intensified or unseasonal weather, they return only in single pairs, if at all, so far, with only the previously most common / residents reappearing . . . → Read More: small birds