ZooChat Big Year 2013

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zooboy28 said:
Very nice list nanoboy, sounds like a great place to visit, I'll definitely have to get out there sometime, maybe by hitching a ride with you! :D
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you need a key to enter, so unless you apply for one then you'll have to go with nanoboy.
 
Chlidonias said:
that's a nice surge there nanoboy. I'm guessing most of those were new species for you?
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Why thank you! :)

Yes, all new except the nankeen kestrel and bronzewing.

zooboy28, sure! We could organise something as long as you aren't an axe murderer who will leave me in one of the ponds. Sounds like fun! You can be my navigator.

Which reminds me, aren't you an expert 4WD driver now who has access to the university's vehicles for field trips? You can organise an outing with your colleagues under the guise of field research. FYI, the key for the gates is a $50 deposit, and a permit for two years costs $20. Best $70 you will ever spend - just make sure that no rain fell in the 5 days prior if you plan to visit with your Ford Falcon car and drive off the beaten track. http://www.melbournewater.com.au/co...dwatching/apply_for_a_birdwatching_permit.asp
 
nanoboy said:
Why thank you! :)

Yes, all new except the nankeen kestrel and bronzewing.

zooboy28, sure! We could organise something as long as you aren't an axe murderer who will leave me in one of the ponds. Sounds like fun! You can be my navigator.

Which reminds me, aren't you an expert 4WD driver now who has access to the university's vehicles for field trips? You can organise an outing with your colleagues under the guise of field research. FYI, the key for the gates is a $50 deposit, and a permit for two years costs $20. Best $70 you will ever spend - just make sure that no rain fell in the 5 days prior if you plan to visit with your Ford Falcon car and drive off the beaten track. http://www.melbournewater.com.au/co...dwatching/apply_for_a_birdwatching_permit.asp
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Haha, Na, I'm not an axe-murderer. :D And I'm not a bad navigator actually!

I'm not sure expert is the right word, I think novice would be more accurate! I was actually talking to some people about that option today, it might be a plan but I think it will take a bit of time to organise.
 
Birds
123: Fairy Prion

:p

Hix
 
Give me time. I still have six months before the end of the year. :p

:p

Hix
 
Ituri said:
215 Warbling Vireo
216 Gray Catbird
217 Willow Flycatcher
218 Cordilleran Flycatcher
219 Cassin's Vireo
220 Veery
221 Swainson's Thrush
222 Northern Waterthrush
223 Olive-sided Flycatcher
224 American Redstart
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225 Bobolink
226 Short-eared Owl
227 Peregrine Falcon
228 Ash-throated Flycatcher
229 Long-billed Curlew
230 Franklin's Gull
231 Clark's Grebe
232 Dusky Grouse
233 Williamson's Sapsucker
 
Ituri said:
225 Bobolink
226 Short-eared Owl
227 Peregrine Falcon
228 Ash-throated Flycatcher
229 Long-billed Curlew
230 Franklin's Gull
231 Clark's Grebe
232 Dusky Grouse
233 Williamson's Sapsucker
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I thought that there were far more species in America than Australia, which is why the Americans had such long lists. Upon further investigation, however, it appears that the 'big year' records for both Australia and America are about 745. Clearly you guys are doing some serious birding to have twice as many species as the Aussies on this thread. I need to get out more!! :D
 
nanoboy said:
100. Common Bronzewing [Wilson's Reserve, Eastern Melbourne suburb]
101. Bell Miner [Wilson's Reserve, Eastern Melbourne suburb]
102. Black Kite [Western Treatment Plant, west of Melbourne]
103. Swamp Harrier [Western Treatment Plant, west of Melbourne]
104. Peregrine Falcon [Western Treatment Plant, west of Melbourne]
105. Nankeen Kestrel [Western Treatment Plant, west of Melbourne]
106. Painted Button-quail [You Yangs National Park (in the carpark!), west of Melbourne]
107. Pied Oystercatcher [Western Treatment Plant, west of Melbourne]
108. Sooty Oystercatcher [Western Treatment Plant, west of Melbourne]
109. Red-necked Avocet [Western Treatment Plant, west of Melbourne]
110. Crested Tern [Western Treatment Plant, west of Melbourne]
111. Yellow-faced Honeyeater [You Yangs National Park (in the carpark!), west of Melbourne]
112. White-naped Honeyeater [You Yangs National Park (on the Great Circle Drive), west of Melbourne]
113. Eurasian Tree Sparrow [Western Treatment Plant, west of Melbourne]
114. Zebra Finch [Western Treatment Plant, west of Melbourne]
115. Little Grassbird [Western Treatment Plant, west of Melbourne]
116. Golden-headed Cisticola [Western Treatment Plant, west of Melbourne]

Note: the Western Treatment Plant is absolutely massive, and you need a vehicle because you can easily drive 100km around the tracks. There was no rain for the previous week, yet there were muddy patches where I had to engage 4WD to be safe. If using a 2WD be very careful. Bird-wise, it was a twitcher's paradise. I didn't read the map properly :o and so couldn't find the area where the Orange Bellied Parrots are sometimes found. Needless to say, I will be visiting again before winter is out now that I have the lay of the land (and will print a colour map!).
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I just downloaded the pics from this outing, and came across this aerial battle between a swamp harrier and a brown falcon. Not the best photo/crop, but damn it was exciting to see! :)
 

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124: White-fronted Tern

:p

Hix
 
lintworm said:
143. Meadow pipit

Mammals:
19. European mole

3,5 weeks till Bulgaria :)....
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144. Short toed snake eagle (lifer)
145. Little plover
146. Honey buzzard
147. grey shrike

Mammals:
20. Bank vole

Reptiles & Amphibians:
15. Agile lizard
16. Natterjack toad
17. Grass snake

4 days till Bulgaria.....
 
Mammals
12. Swamp Wallaby

:p

Hix
 
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