A propos the postings re ASPs, I have just reported the following sighting from yesterday to Birdline Victoria. Richard
Species:
Australian Painted Snipe
Date:
5 Nov 2011
Site:
Small pond just inside Serendip Sanctuary northern fenceline on Plains Rd, Lara
Notes:
Four experienced birders (2 from the UK, 1 from the USA, and this reporter) were watching 2 close Emu bathing (“squatting” really) in a small pond just off the road when a snipe flushed from the muddy/grassy edge, flying across the road in clear view. All four of us called “snipe” and immediately after “Painted Snipe” due to the distinctive appearance of the bird, even on the wing. All observers had prior experience with Painted Snipe spp. What would have been in most years a remarkable sighting seems a little less unexpected and consistent with the significantly increased numbers of APS sightings being reported this year.
Observer:
Richard Nowotny
