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4 Feb Re: reintroduction of ground-dwelling native bird species to revegetated urban parkland [a-m burgoine ] 3 Feb Intermediate pale morph Wedge-tailed Shearwater off Swansea, NSW [Mick Roderick ] 4 Feb Cheap (well reasonably cheap) trip to highlands of PNG 5-16th April? One place left [Phil Hansbro ] 4 Feb Re: SLR without the mirror [Andrew Taylor ] 4 Feb Re: Fork-tailed Swifts en masse in QLD. ["Alan Gillanders" ] 04 Feb SLR without the mirror [Chris Ross ] 4 Feb Re: SLR without the mirror [Peter Shute ] 04 Feb Re: Rufour Night Heron dismembering cane toads [Denise Goodfellow ] 4 Feb Re: SLR without the mirror ["Paul & Irene Osborn" ] 4 Feb Rufour Night Heron dismembering cane toads ["Shirley Cook" ] 3 Feb Re: SLR without the mirror ["Greg Little" ] 3 Feb Re: No trace so far of kidnapped European birdwatchers in Tawi-Tawi [Carl Clifford ] 3 Feb Re: SLR without the mirror [Carl Clifford ] 3 Feb Re: SLR without the mirror [Carl Clifford ] 3 Feb Re: SLR without the mirror [Peter Shute ] 3 Feb Re: SLR without the mirror [Peter Shute ] 3 Feb No trace so far of kidnapped European birdwatchers in Tawi-Tawi ["Steve Potter" ] 3 Feb Re: SLR without the mirror [Allan Richardson ] 3 Feb Re: SLR without the mirror [Peter Shute ] 3 Feb Australian Bustard, Hamilton, Victoria [Steve Clark ] 3 Feb SLR without the mirror [Kailash Willis ] 03 Feb Re: Impact of climate change on pelagic birding [Ian May ] 3 Feb Re: Nikon superzoom ["Michael Hunter" ] 2 Feb Re: UK birding change of month ["Rosemary Royle" ] 02 Feb Re: New Nikon 42x zoom compact camera [Denise Goodfellow ] 02 Feb Re: New Nikon 42x zoom compact camera [Paul Taylor ] 2 Feb Re: Nikon superzoom [Peter Shute ] 2 Feb Re: Nikon superzoom ["Chris Brandis" ] 2 Feb Re: Nikon superzoom [Carl Clifford ] 02 Feb Re: Nikon superzoom [Denise Goodfellow ] 2 Feb Nikon superzoom ["Michael Hunter" ] 2 Feb Re: birding in the UK ["Peter Madvig" ] 2 Feb UK birding change of month ["dufton" ] 02 Feb Re: Rufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. [Del Richards ] 2 Feb Re: birding in the UK ["Alec Gillespie" ] 2 Feb Re: birding in the UK [Tim Jones ] 2 Feb Re: birding in the UK [Bill Stent ] 2 Feb Re: birding in the UK ["Philip Jackson" ] 2 Feb Fork-tailed Swifts en masse in QLD. [Michael Tarburton ] 1 Feb Birding Lamington N.P. [] 2 Feb Re: Rufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. ["Stephen Ambrose" ] 01 Feb Re: Rufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. ["Tony Keene" ] 1 Feb Começou o desfile de ofertas da Comprafácil. Confira! [CompraFacil - YeahDesconto ] 1 Feb Rufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. ["Philip Veerman" ] 1 Feb Re: Birding Lamington N.P. [Roaminoz ] 1 Feb Re: Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. [Roaminoz ] 01 Feb Re: Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. ["Tony Keene" ] 1 Feb New Nikon 42x zoom compact camera [Carl Clifford ] 1 Feb Re: Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. [Carl Clifford ] 1 Feb Re: Impact of climate change on pelagic birding [Laurie Knight ] 1 Feb Re: Birding Lamington N.P. [Laurie Knight ] 1 Feb Re: Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. [Tom Tarrant ] 1 Feb Re: birding in the UK [Judith Hoyle ] 1 Feb Re: Fw: Fw: Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native birdspecies to revegetated urban parkland ["Greg & Val Clancy" ] 1 Feb Re: Birding Lamington N.P. [Tom Tarrant ] 1 Feb Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native birdspecies to revegetated urban parkland ["Philip Veerman" ] 31 Jan Re: Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. [David James ] 1 Feb Birding Lamington NP [Andrew Stafford ] 1 Feb Duck Creek Rd ["Peter Menkhorst" ] 1 Feb Fw: Fw: Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native bird species to revegetated urban parkland ["Shirley Cook" ] 1 Feb Fw: Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native bird species to revegetated urban parkland ["Shirley Cook" ] 1 Feb Re: Birding Lamington NP - Duck Creek Rd [Carl Clifford ] 01 Feb Re: Birding Lamington N.P. [brian fleming ] 1 Feb Birding Lamington NP - Duck Creek Rd [Nick Leseberg ] 01 Feb Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. [Del Richards ] 1 Feb Now for something really scary ["Chris Lloyd" ] 1 Feb Re: Birding Lamington N.P. [Chris ] 1 Feb Re-introduction of ground-dwelling native birds [Mark Stanley ] 31 Jan Re: Impact of climate change on pelagic birding [Nikolas Haass ] 1 Feb Re: Birding Lamington N.P. ["Carl Weber" ] 1 Feb Re: Birding Lamington N.P. [John Tongue ] 1 Feb Re: Impact of climate change on pelagic birding [John Leonard ] 31 Jan Birding Lamington N.P. [] 31 Jan Re: Impact of climate change on pelagic birding ["Jeremy O'Wheel" ] 31 Jan Re: Impact of climate change on pelagic birding ["Martin Wigginton" ] 31 Jan Leg-flagged Curlew Sandpiper - follow-up ["Richard Nowotny" ] Subject: Re: reintroduction of ground-dwelling native bird species to revegetated urban parkland From: a-m burgoine <sa-mburgwart AT live.com.au> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 16:14:21 +1100 Hi readers, I'm curious as to where such superb fairy wrens and white browed scrub wrens could be introduced from? (have not seen Emu article as yet). Portland Secondary College (SW coast, Vic) has been revegetaing with native understorey in support of mature hollow-bearing eucalypts at our campus since 2004. Our records demonstrate superb fairy wrens increasing in numbers on the site as prickly moses and hedge wattle plantings (among many other shrubs, grasses) mature. They have been pretty consistent with appearances on the monthly surveys. White browed scrub wrens are much more infrequently observed. We hope that they will emerge on the records as the understorey plantings continue to reclaim the 4 hectare remnant. I suspect if habitat conditions are conducive, the birds will find their way to the site. To reintroduce such common birds sounds like a hasty intervention. Again, I wonder where the birds could be introduced from, and what they might think about the prospect. A-M Burgoine, Portland. Vic. =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Intermediate pale morph Wedge-tailed Shearwater off Swansea, NSW From: Mick Roderick <mickhhb AT yahoo.com.au> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 18:53:09 -0800 (PST) Hi all, � Steve and I took the tinny out today to about 20km off Swansea (NSW) to see if we could get amongst some of the interesting birds reported off the NSW coast in the past week. Seems the southerly air-flow may have spoilt the party following the cold water upwelling earlier in the week that saw sea temperatures plummet by 6 degrees overnight after a bout of nor-easters over warmer water. � It was reasonably quiet today, but with the usual Wedgies, Fleshies and Short-taileds getting about (and more Hutton's than Fluttering, maybe a dozen of the former). On the way back in a bird that looked otherwise like a Wedge-tailed Shearwater but with pale underparts appeared in the throng. We have identified it as an intermediate morph Wedge-tailed Shearwater (there is a very low res image attached to a Birdline NSW report, but if anyone would like to see higher res images let me know and I'll forward them through). � I've been trying to find info on just how commonly this morph is recorded in Australian waters and cannot find much at all. I recall talking to Lindsay Smith (SOSSA Wollongong) about this last weekend and I'm sure he said they've had very few, if any, off W'gong over the years. � Has anyone else recorded pale Wedgies in south-eastern Australian waters? � Mick =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Cheap (well reasonably cheap) trip to highlands of PNG 5-16th April? One place left From: Phil Hansbro <philip.hansbro AT newcastle.edu.au> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 14:49:10 +1100 Hi All I sent this email a couple of days ago. There are now 3 of us but it would be good to have a fourth person. We are doing it as cheaply as possible and if we get 4 it almost can't be done any cheaper. The highlands of PNG are being logged quickly so it's a now or never situation. I have been top PNG a few times so have experience. Please email me if interested. Thanks Phil. > > > Hi all > > Two or 3 of us are now on for a trip to Warili lodge in the highlands of PNG. > > We are doing as cheaply (but safely) as possible. > > We are looking for 4 people total costs shared. > > Please contact me directly if interested. > > Thanks > Phil Hansbro =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: SLR without the mirror From: Andrew Taylor <andrewt AT cse.unsw.edu.au> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 14:44:31 +1100 On Sat, Feb 04, 2012 at 01:26:52PM +1100, Chris Ross wrote: > Regarding the issue of shutter lag in compacts, a lot of that has to > do with AF acquisition time, all compacts and mirrorless cameras use > a contrast detection AF system utilising data from the sensor, that > up until now that has been quite slow. The new Nikon 1s are mirrorless but have phase detection sensors integrated into the main imaging sensor. I don't know if this is the future, but DSLR mirrors are looking like dinosaurs. I've decided to upgrade the old shirt pocket compact I take bushwalking, kayaking etc when an SLR isn't convenient/safe - and I'm impressed by what you can get now, e.g. Nikon AW100, Pentax WG-1, Panasonic's FT3/4. The Nikon is 180g, waterproof to 10m, gps+compass, VR, 1080p video AT 30 FPS - $250 grey market on Ebay or ~$400 in Australia. Unfortunately maximum focal length isn't great for birds - maybe next year. Andrew =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Fork-tailed Swifts en masse in QLD. From: "Alan Gillanders" <alan AT alanswildlifetours.com.au> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 13:04:15 +1000 Nothing like those numbers but this morning at a tree planting at Massey Creek east of Ravenshoe, Atherton Tablelands I observed a minimum of 60 WTNT, 550 FTSw and 150 unidentified swifts flying south over the period of just over and hour. Mostly they cam through in flocks of 10 to 40 with the largest flocks being about 60 birds. Nearly all the WTNT were in the first half hour of my observations as were the more distant flocks unidentified. One planter told me that the birds had been coming over from the north since he had arrived, an hour before I started noticing them. The birds were heading south, skimming the ridge tops. Near Whiting Road, Millaa Millaa, around midday I saw another 35 FTSW presumably feeding in a valley. Regards, Alan =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: SLR without the mirror From: Chris Ross <chrisx2 AT ihug.com.au> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:26:52 +1100 Regarding the issue of shutter lag in compacts, a lot of that has to do with AF acquisition time, all compacts and mirrorless cameras use a contrast detection AF system utilising data from the sensor, that up until now that has been quite slow. Panasonic were the first to develop a contrast detection system that was a match for lower end DSLRs. DSLRs use a phase detection system for AF with a dedicated AF sensor which up until now has been leaps and bounds ahead of the contrast system in compacts. The latest Panasonic can shoot at 4 frames per second and has AF to match. They also have very good EVFs. Here's a review of the latest Panasonic: http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/digital-slrs-hybrids/panasonic-lumix-dmc-gx1-1044318/review?artc_pg=1 If you have a compact there are some things you can do to reduce lag, including activating options like continuous AF, so the lens is focusing at whatever it's pointed at not waiting for you to half press the shutter, not all cameras have the option of course. MF also reduces lag but it is normally so fiddly to activate it doesn't help much. The problem with the super zoom compacts is that the AF and image quality at the long end is a compromise, the lens is slow (about f5.9) at the long end and the image quality is a bit average. The other problem I believe is that they focus in steps, not continuously. This hidden at shorter focal lengths by the large Depth of field inherent in small sensor cameras, but not when DOF drops at large focal lengths. In fact theonly reason they do what they can as well as they can is the small sensor, it's a lot easier to design and build a compact lens that is sharp across 4mm x 6mm sensor than it is to get it harp across a full frame DSLR. Nikon have also release a mirror-less "DSLR " the V1 that is reported to be very good with AF, though in Aus is is pricey and the sensor is quite small. It can use Nikon SLR lenses with an adapter that maintains full functionality. One thing that is of interest for bird photography with micro 4/3 cameras like the Panasonic above is the availability of adapters for other lenses. Of particular interest is an adapter for the old Canon FD lenses, that system was orphaned 20 years ago and some excellent optical quality lenses can be picked up for a song. The beauty of the EVF with these lenses is that you use the MF assist system quite easily and it gets around the manual aperture on these lenses by allowing focus with the lens stopped down as the EVF automatically adjusts the brightness. Something like the Canon 500mm f4.5L lens which is a sharp as today's $10,000 EOS lens goes for about $1000 on Ebay, allowing you to get 1000mm effective focal length with superb optical quality for a song. I have one of these lenses from my film days and was using it adapted to my EOS DSLR until I upgraded recently to the Canon 500mm AF lens. I'll be trying to sell it soon as these new micro 4/3rds cameras have opened up a market for such a lens. Chris Ross =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: SLR without the mirror From: Peter Shute <pshute AT nuw.org.au> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 13:19:42 +1100 A Google search says it gives you "reduced focusing time", so perhaps it's at the expense of focusing accuracy. I'm not sure if this is the type of delay Allan was talking about. Peter Shute -------------------------- Sent using BlackBerry ----- Original Message ----- From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au To: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au Sent: Sat Feb 04 11:50:57 2012 Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror My common garden Canon compact camera has a dial setting called 'Kids & Pets' which is supposed to reduce the lag time. It certainly works better for these subjects than the 'auto' setting but I'm not sure what is compromised to achieve this. Paul Osborn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Shute" To: "Allan Richardson" Cc: ; Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 9:17 PM Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror I'd forgotten about lag since I got a DSLR. I must admit I always thought lag was the time from pressing the shutter to taking the picture, and that you could eliminate it by half pressing first, but after googling it, it seems there's more to it. It appears it's quite common for compact cameras to have lags of half a second or more, but according to http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/06/olympus-pen-ep3-improves-almost-everything/, the Olympus E-P3 has "a lag of just 60 milliseconds. Compare that to Nikon’s official lag for the D700 — 40 milliseconds ..." Whether manufacturers will bother to keep lag low is another matter, but at least it seems possible. Peter Shute ________________________________________ From: Allan Richardson [albirdo AT bigpond.net.au] Sent: Friday, 3 February 2012 6:17 PM To: Peter Shute Cc: 'kailashw AT hotmail.com'; 'birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au' Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror The problem with this type of design is that you are using the picture capturing sensor to generate an image on the rear screen of the camera. When you push the shutter release the camera must then switch form display mode to picture taking mode. This is why the compact cameras (even those with an electronic viewfinder) have an inherent delay between the pressing of the shutter and when the photo is captured. As a consequence anybody photographing active subjects, such as people (especially children), pets, flowers, on anything but a dead calm day, and you guessed it, birds, will likely encounter grief during the photographic process. Some birds are so fast in their reactions that they can move into a poor position when they hear the shutter on an SLR release, let alone a camera that shares it's sensor with viewing capability. Allan Richardson Morisset NSW. On 03/02/2012, at 4:26 PM, Peter Shute wrote: > I do think that mirrorless cameras is where photography is heading, and > it's good to see a manufacturer maintaining compatibility with current and > legacy lenses. But this camera has neither optical nor electronic > viewfinder, not even as an option, so I hope it's not where bird > photography is heading. > > I think an electronic viewfinder is potentially better than an optical one > if the resolution is good enough, but it's disappointing that there are so > many photographers who don't need one at all that manufacturers can simply > leave it out. > > I suspect that some time in the future the viewfinder/no viewfinder divide > may be bigger than the mirror/no mirror one. > > Peter Shute > > > -------------------------- > Sent using BlackBerry > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au > > To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au > Sent: Fri Feb 03 15:52:22 2012 > Subject: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror > > > > While on the subject of possible future directions for digital cameras > Pentax is about to release a mirrorless body that is compatible with its > existing SLR lenses > http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-k-01-officially-announced.html > while i don’t see myself hanging up the SLR anytime soon it will be > interesting to see if this is the direction we are heading in > > Cheers, > > Kailash >> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:56:48 +1100 >> From: "Michael Hunter" >> To: >> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: <21820382DBB447BAA4072FDE635100E3 AT UserPC> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" >> >> Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. >> >> The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have >> manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely pinpoint, >> fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in the bush results >> in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the foreground, particularly at >> high zoom, the bird itself being out of focus. >> >> I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, good, >> but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth trying if >> the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you fiddle. ( It also >> packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came good after drying out >> in front of the campfire, so check on waterproofing or appropriate >> waterproof cases if you want to go there.) >> >> Cheers >> >> Michael >> >> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:47 +0930 >> From: Denise Goodfellow >> To: Michael Hunter , Birding Aus >> >> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" >> >> Hi Michael >> Lack of a manual focus is my particular bugbear as well. It's the only >> thing that's put me off buying one of the new Nikons. >> Regards >> -- >> Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow B.A. Grad.Dip.Arts >> 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell NT 0832, AUSTRALIA >> Ph. 61 08 89 328306 >> Mobile: 04 386 50 835 >> >> Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant >> PhD Candidate (Southern Cross University, NSW) >> Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia >> Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia >> Nominated by Earthfoot (2004) for Conde Nast's Traveler International >> Award >> >>> =============================== >>> >> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:33:42 +1100 >> From: Carl Clifford >> To: "Michael Hunter" >> Cc: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au >> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes >> >> Yes it is lacking a few features, notably, lack of external flash >> ability. Lack of manual focus is definitely a minus. also, trying to >> shoot hand held at max zoom would call for a very steady hand. >> >> It will be interesting to watch future developments though. Don't >> think I will be ditching my DSLR for one just yet. >> >> Cheers, >> >> Carl Clifford >> > > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Rufour Night Heron dismembering cane toads From: Denise Goodfellow <goodfellow AT bigpond.com.au> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:37:08 +0930 I can support this finding having seen it myself. Regards -- Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow B.A. Grad.Dip.Arts 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell NT 0832, AUSTRALIA Ph. 61 08 89 328306 Mobile: 04 386 50 835 Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant PhD Candidate (Southern Cross University, NSW) Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia Nominated by Earthfoot (2004) for Conde Nast's Traveler International Award http://www.denisegoodfellow.com.au http://www.earthfoot.org http://groups.yahoo.com/group/baby-dreaming www.fatbirder.com/ For copies of Birds of Australia�s Top End or Quiet Snake Dreaming, visit amazon.com http://www.facebook.com/Wildlife.Tourism.Australia http://wildlifetourism.org.au on 4/2/12 5:07 AM, Shirley Cook at shirleycook1 AT bigpond.com wrote: > Dear all, > > Andrew Ley has passed on this message regarding this thread > There was a paper written by David Donato in Australian Field Ornithology > volume 21 page 125 concerning Torresian Crows flipping cane toads and eating > only the guts and fleshy thighs. This was observed in the Northern > Territory. > > Regards > Shirley Cook > > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: SLR without the mirror From: "Paul & Irene Osborn" <passerine AT bordernet.com.au> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 11:50:57 +1100 My common garden Canon compact camera has a dial setting called 'Kids & Pets' which is supposed to reduce the lag time. It certainly works better for these subjects than the 'auto' setting but I'm not sure what is compromised to achieve this. Paul Osborn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Shute" To: "Allan Richardson" Cc: ; Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 9:17 PM Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror I'd forgotten about lag since I got a DSLR. I must admit I always thought lag was the time from pressing the shutter to taking the picture, and that you could eliminate it by half pressing first, but after googling it, it seems there's more to it. It appears it's quite common for compact cameras to have lags of half a second or more, but according to http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/06/olympus-pen-ep3-improves-almost-everything/, the Olympus E-P3 has "a lag of just 60 milliseconds. Compare that to Nikon�s official lag for the D700 � 40 milliseconds ..." Whether manufacturers will bother to keep lag low is another matter, but at least it seems possible. Peter Shute ________________________________________ From: Allan Richardson [albirdo AT bigpond.net.au] Sent: Friday, 3 February 2012 6:17 PM To: Peter Shute Cc: 'kailashw AT hotmail.com'; 'birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au' Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror The problem with this type of design is that you are using the picture capturing sensor to generate an image on the rear screen of the camera. When you push the shutter release the camera must then switch form display mode to picture taking mode. This is why the compact cameras (even those with an electronic viewfinder) have an inherent delay between the pressing of the shutter and when the photo is captured. As a consequence anybody photographing active subjects, such as people (especially children), pets, flowers, on anything but a dead calm day, and you guessed it, birds, will likely encounter grief during the photographic process. Some birds are so fast in their reactions that they can move into a poor position when they hear the shutter on an SLR release, let alone a camera that shares it's sensor with viewing capability. Allan Richardson Morisset NSW. On 03/02/2012, at 4:26 PM, Peter Shute wrote: > I do think that mirrorless cameras is where photography is heading, and > it's good to see a manufacturer maintaining compatibility with current and > legacy lenses. But this camera has neither optical nor electronic > viewfinder, not even as an option, so I hope it's not where bird > photography is heading. > > I think an electronic viewfinder is potentially better than an optical one > if the resolution is good enough, but it's disappointing that there are so > many photographers who don't need one at all that manufacturers can simply > leave it out. > > I suspect that some time in the future the viewfinder/no viewfinder divide > may be bigger than the mirror/no mirror one. > > Peter Shute > > > -------------------------- > Sent using BlackBerry > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au > > To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au > Sent: Fri Feb 03 15:52:22 2012 > Subject: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror > > > > While on the subject of possible future directions for digital cameras > Pentax is about to release a mirrorless body that is compatible with its > existing SLR lenses > http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-k-01-officially-announced.html > while i don�t see myself hanging up the SLR anytime soon it will be > interesting to see if this is the direction we are heading in > > Cheers, > > Kailash >> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:56:48 +1100 >> From: "Michael Hunter" >> To: >> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: <21820382DBB447BAA4072FDE635100E3 AT UserPC> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" >> >> Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. >> >> The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have >> manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely pinpoint, >> fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in the bush results >> in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the foreground, particularly at >> high zoom, the bird itself being out of focus. >> >> I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, good, >> but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth trying if >> the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you fiddle. ( It also >> packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came good after drying out >> in front of the campfire, so check on waterproofing or appropriate >> waterproof cases if you want to go there.) >> >> Cheers >> >> Michael >> >> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:47 +0930 >> From: Denise Goodfellow >> To: Michael Hunter , Birding Aus >> >> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" >> >> Hi Michael >> Lack of a manual focus is my particular bugbear as well. It's the only >> thing that's put me off buying one of the new Nikons. >> Regards >> -- >> Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow B.A. Grad.Dip.Arts >> 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell NT 0832, AUSTRALIA >> Ph. 61 08 89 328306 >> Mobile: 04 386 50 835 >> >> Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant >> PhD Candidate (Southern Cross University, NSW) >> Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia >> Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia >> Nominated by Earthfoot (2004) for Conde Nast's Traveler International >> Award >> >>> =============================== >>> >> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:33:42 +1100 >> From: Carl Clifford >> To: "Michael Hunter" >> Cc: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au >> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes >> >> Yes it is lacking a few features, notably, lack of external flash >> ability. Lack of manual focus is definitely a minus. also, trying to >> shoot hand held at max zoom would call for a very steady hand. >> >> It will be interesting to watch future developments though. Don't >> think I will be ditching my DSLR for one just yet. >> >> Cheers, >> >> Carl Clifford >> > > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Rufour Night Heron dismembering cane toads From: "Shirley Cook" <shirleycook1 AT bigpond.com> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 06:37:14 +1100 Dear all, Andrew Ley has passed on this message regarding this thread There was a paper written by David Donato in Australian Field Ornithology volume 21 page 125 concerning Torresian Crows flipping cane toads and eating only the guts and fleshy thighs. This was observed in the Northern Territory. Regards Shirley Cook =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: SLR without the mirror From: "Greg Little" <greg AT gff.com.au> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 22:18:13 +1100 Peter Call it a conspiracy theory but I reckon shutter lag in point and shoots is one of those annoying little things that the manufacturers will retain to encourage people to go to SLRs. Greg Little -----Original Message----- From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au [mailto:birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Peter Shute Sent: Friday, 3 February 2012 9:18 PM To: Allan Richardson Cc: 'kailashw AT hotmail.com'; 'birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au' Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror I'd forgotten about lag since I got a DSLR. I must admit I always thought lag was the time from pressing the shutter to taking the picture, and that you could eliminate it by half pressing first, but after googling it, it seems there's more to it. It appears it's quite common for compact cameras to have lags of half a second or more, but according to http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/06/olympus-pen-ep3-improves-almost-every thing/, the Olympus E-P3 has "a lag of just 60 milliseconds. Compare that to Nikon's official lag for the D700 - 40 milliseconds ..." Whether manufacturers will bother to keep lag low is another matter, but at least it seems possible. Peter Shute ________________________________________ From: Allan Richardson [albirdo AT bigpond.net.au] Sent: Friday, 3 February 2012 6:17 PM To: Peter Shute Cc: 'kailashw AT hotmail.com'; 'birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au' Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror The problem with this type of design is that you are using the picture capturing sensor to generate an image on the rear screen of the camera. When you push the shutter release the camera must then switch form display mode to picture taking mode. This is why the compact cameras (even those with an electronic viewfinder) have an inherent delay between the pressing of the shutter and when the photo is captured. As a consequence anybody photographing active subjects, such as people (especially children), pets, flowers, on anything but a dead calm day, and you guessed it, birds, will likely encounter grief during the photographic process. Some birds are so fast in their reactions that they can move into a poor position when they hear the shutter on an SLR release, let alone a camera that shares it's sensor with viewing capability. Allan Richardson Morisset NSW. On 03/02/2012, at 4:26 PM, Peter Shute wrote: > I do think that mirrorless cameras is where photography is heading, and it's good to see a manufacturer maintaining compatibility with current and legacy lenses. But this camera has neither optical nor electronic viewfinder, not even as an option, so I hope it's not where bird photography is heading. > > I think an electronic viewfinder is potentially better than an optical one if the resolution is good enough, but it's disappointing that there are so many photographers who don't need one at all that manufacturers can simply leave it out. > > I suspect that some time in the future the viewfinder/no viewfinder divide may be bigger than the mirror/no mirror one. > > Peter Shute > > > -------------------------- > Sent using BlackBerry > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au > To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au > Sent: Fri Feb 03 15:52:22 2012 > Subject: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror > > > > While on the subject of possible future directions for digital cameras Pentax is about to release a mirrorless body that is compatible with its existing SLR lenses http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-k-01-officially-announced.html while i don't see myself hanging up the SLR anytime soon it will be interesting to see if this is the direction we are heading in > > Cheers, > > Kailash >> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:56:48 +1100 >> From: "Michael Hunter" >> To: >> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: <21820382DBB447BAA4072FDE635100E3 AT UserPC> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" >> >> Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. >> >> The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely pinpoint, fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in the bush results in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the foreground, particularly at high zoom, the bird itself being out of focus. >> >> I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, good, but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth trying if the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you fiddle. ( It also packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came good after drying out in front of the campfire, so check on waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you want to go there.) >> >> Cheers >> >> Michael >> >> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:47 +0930 >> From: Denise Goodfellow >> To: Michael Hunter , Birding Aus >> >> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" >> >> Hi Michael >> Lack of a manual focus is my particular bugbear as well. It's the only >> thing that's put me off buying one of the new Nikons. >> Regards >> -- >> Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow B.A. Grad.Dip.Arts >> 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell NT 0832, AUSTRALIA >> Ph. 61 08 89 328306 >> Mobile: 04 386 50 835 >> >> Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant >> PhD Candidate (Southern Cross University, NSW) >> Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia >> Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia >> Nominated by Earthfoot (2004) for Conde Nast's Traveler International Award >> >>> =============================== >>> >> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:33:42 +1100 >> From: Carl Clifford >> To: "Michael Hunter" >> Cc: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au >> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes >> >> Yes it is lacking a few features, notably, lack of external flash >> ability. Lack of manual focus is definitely a minus. also, trying to >> shoot hand held at max zoom would call for a very steady hand. >> >> It will be interesting to watch future developments though. Don't >> think I will be ditching my DSLR for one just yet. >> >> Cheers, >> >> Carl Clifford >> > > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2112/4782 - Release Date: 02/02/12 =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: No trace so far of kidnapped European birdwatchers in Tawi-Tawi From: Carl Clifford <carlsclifford AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 20:03:21 +1100 I was just reading this item on a birding tour company web site http://www.birding2asia.com/W2W/Philippines/Zamboanga.html which dates from November 2012. They seem to think things were pretty OK in Zamboanga. I think that they were a bit optimistic I think birding in Zamboanga, particularly in the southern islands, should be regarded as being riskier than juggling hand grenades. Carl Clifford On 03/02/2012, at 7:22 PM, Steve Potter wrote: Hi all Not sure if any of you have seen this. Steve Potter http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/246564/news/regions/no-trace-so-far-of- kidnapped-european-birdwatchers-in-tawi-tawi =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: SLR without the mirror From: Carl Clifford <carlsclifford AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 19:04:55 +1100 Peter, I think it may be some time before electronic viewfinders will out-do a good split-screen optical viewfinder. Cheers, Carl Clifford On 03/02/2012, at 4:26 PM, Peter Shute wrote: I do think that mirrorless cameras is where photography is heading, and it's good to see a manufacturer maintaining compatibility with current and legacy lenses. But this camera has neither optical nor electronic viewfinder, not even as an option, so I hope it's not where bird photography is heading. I think an electronic viewfinder is potentially better than an optical one if the resolution is good enough, but it's disappointing that there are so many photographers who don't need one at all that manufacturers can simply leave it out. I suspect that some time in the future the viewfinder/no viewfinder divide may be bigger than the mirror/no mirror one. Peter Shute -------------------------- Sent using BlackBerry ----- Original Message ----- From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au Sent: Fri Feb 03 15:52:22 2012 Subject: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror While on the subject of possible future directions for digital cameras Pentax is about to release a mirrorless body that is compatible with its existing SLR lenses http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-k-01-officially-announced.html while i don�t see myself hanging up the SLR anytime soon it will be interesting to see if this is the direction we are heading in Cheers, Kailash > Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:56:48 +1100 > From: "Michael Hunter" > To: > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: <21820382DBB447BAA4072FDE635100E3 AT UserPC> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. > > The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have > manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely > pinpoint, fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in > the bush results in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the > foreground, particularly at high zoom, the bird itself being out of > focus. > > I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, > good, but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth > trying if the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you > fiddle. ( It also packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came > good after drying out in front of the campfire, so check on > waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you want to go > there.) > > Cheers > > Michael > > Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:47 +0930 > From: Denise Goodfellow > To: Michael Hunter , Birding Aus > > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" > > Hi Michael > Lack of a manual focus is my particular bugbear as well. It's the only > thing that's put me off buying one of the new Nikons. > Regards > -- > Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow B.A. Grad.Dip.Arts > 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell NT 0832, AUSTRALIA > Ph. 61 08 89 328306 > Mobile: 04 386 50 835 > > Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant > PhD Candidate (Southern Cross University, NSW) > Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia > Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia > Nominated by Earthfoot (2004) for Conde Nast's Traveler > International Award > >> =============================== >> > Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:33:42 +1100 > From: Carl Clifford > To: "Michael Hunter" > Cc: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes > > Yes it is lacking a few features, notably, lack of external flash > ability. Lack of manual focus is definitely a minus. also, trying to > shoot hand held at max zoom would call for a very steady hand. > > It will be interesting to watch future developments though. Don't > think I will be ditching my DSLR for one just yet. > > Cheers, > > Carl Clifford > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: SLR without the mirror From: Carl Clifford <carlsclifford AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 18:59:42 +1100 I am a Pentax person, both photographic and optics, but they have lost me with the lack of a viewfinder. I can't stand chimping. Even a hot- shoe mounted viewfinder would make it more useful. It is good to see a compact camera that takes inter-changeable lenses and an APS-C sized sensor, though. It should give the 4/3 and micro 4/3 market a bit of a run for their money. Cheers, Carl Clifford On 03/02/2012, at 3:52 PM, Kailash Willis wrote: While on the subject of possible future directions for digital cameras Pentax is about to release a mirrorless body that is compatible with its existing SLR lenses http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-k-01-officially-announced.html while i don�t see myself hanging up the SLR anytime soon it will be interesting to see if this is the direction we are heading in Cheers, Kailash > Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:56:48 +1100 > From: "Michael Hunter" > To: > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: <21820382DBB447BAA4072FDE635100E3 AT UserPC> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. > > The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have > manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely > pinpoint, fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in > the bush results in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the > foreground, particularly at high zoom, the bird itself being out of > focus. > > I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, > good, but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth > trying if the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you > fiddle. ( It also packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came > good after drying out in front of the campfire, so check on > waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you want to go > there.) > > Cheers > > Michael > > Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:47 +0930 > From: Denise Goodfellow > To: Michael Hunter , Birding Aus > > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" > > Hi Michael > Lack of a manual focus is my particular bugbear as well. It's the only > thing that's put me off buying one of the new Nikons. > Regards > -- > Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow B.A. Grad.Dip.Arts > 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell NT 0832, AUSTRALIA > Ph. 61 08 89 328306 > Mobile: 04 386 50 835 > > Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant > PhD Candidate (Southern Cross University, NSW) > Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia > Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia > Nominated by Earthfoot (2004) for Conde Nast's Traveler > International Award > >> =============================== >> > Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:33:42 +1100 > From: Carl Clifford > To: "Michael Hunter" > Cc: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes > > Yes it is lacking a few features, notably, lack of external flash > ability. Lack of manual focus is definitely a minus. also, trying to > shoot hand held at max zoom would call for a very steady hand. > > It will be interesting to watch future developments though. Don't > think I will be ditching my DSLR for one just yet. > > Cheers, > > Carl Clifford > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: SLR without the mirror From: Peter Shute <pshute AT nuw.org.au> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 21:17:34 +1100 I'd forgotten about lag since I got a DSLR. I must admit I always thought lag was the time from pressing the shutter to taking the picture, and that you could eliminate it by half pressing first, but after googling it, it seems there's more to it. It appears it's quite common for compact cameras to have lags of half a second or more, but according to http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/06/olympus-pen-ep3-improves-almost-everything/, the Olympus E-P3 has "a lag of just 60 milliseconds. Compare that to Nikon�s official lag for the D700 � 40 milliseconds ..." Whether manufacturers will bother to keep lag low is another matter, but at least it seems possible. Peter Shute ________________________________________ From: Allan Richardson [albirdo AT bigpond.net.au] Sent: Friday, 3 February 2012 6:17 PM To: Peter Shute Cc: 'kailashw AT hotmail.com'; 'birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au' Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror The problem with this type of design is that you are using the picture capturing sensor to generate an image on the rear screen of the camera. When you push the shutter release the camera must then switch form display mode to picture taking mode. This is why the compact cameras (even those with an electronic viewfinder) have an inherent delay between the pressing of the shutter and when the photo is captured. As a consequence anybody photographing active subjects, such as people (especially children), pets, flowers, on anything but a dead calm day, and you guessed it, birds, will likely encounter grief during the photographic process. Some birds are so fast in their reactions that they can move into a poor position when they hear the shutter on an SLR release, let alone a camera that shares it's sensor with viewing capability. Allan Richardson Morisset NSW. On 03/02/2012, at 4:26 PM, Peter Shute wrote: > I do think that mirrorless cameras is where photography is heading, and it's good to see a manufacturer maintaining compatibility with current and legacy lenses. But this camera has neither optical nor electronic viewfinder, not even as an option, so I hope it's not where bird photography is heading. > > I think an electronic viewfinder is potentially better than an optical one if the resolution is good enough, but it's disappointing that there are so many photographers who don't need one at all that manufacturers can simply leave it out. > > I suspect that some time in the future the viewfinder/no viewfinder divide may be bigger than the mirror/no mirror one. > > Peter Shute > > > -------------------------- > Sent using BlackBerry > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au > To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au > Sent: Fri Feb 03 15:52:22 2012 > Subject: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror > > > > While on the subject of possible future directions for digital cameras Pentax is about to release a mirrorless body that is compatible with its existing SLR lenses http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-k-01-officially-announced.html while i don�t see myself hanging up the SLR anytime soon it will be interesting to see if this is the direction we are heading in > > Cheers, > > Kailash >> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:56:48 +1100 >> From: "Michael Hunter" >> To: >> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: <21820382DBB447BAA4072FDE635100E3 AT UserPC> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" >> >> Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. >> >> The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely pinpoint, fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in the bush results in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the foreground, particularly at high zoom, the bird itself being out of focus. >> >> I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, good, but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth trying if the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you fiddle. ( It also packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came good after drying out in front of the campfire, so check on waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you want to go there.) >> >> Cheers >> >> Michael >> >> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:47 +0930 >> From: Denise Goodfellow >> To: Michael Hunter , Birding Aus >> >> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" >> >> Hi Michael >> Lack of a manual focus is my particular bugbear as well. It's the only >> thing that's put me off buying one of the new Nikons. >> Regards >> -- >> Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow B.A. Grad.Dip.Arts >> 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell NT 0832, AUSTRALIA >> Ph. 61 08 89 328306 >> Mobile: 04 386 50 835 >> >> Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant >> PhD Candidate (Southern Cross University, NSW) >> Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia >> Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia >> Nominated by Earthfoot (2004) for Conde Nast's Traveler International Award >> >>> =============================== >>> >> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:33:42 +1100 >> From: Carl Clifford >> To: "Michael Hunter" >> Cc: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au >> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes >> >> Yes it is lacking a few features, notably, lack of external flash >> ability. Lack of manual focus is definitely a minus. also, trying to >> shoot hand held at max zoom would call for a very steady hand. >> >> It will be interesting to watch future developments though. Don't >> think I will be ditching my DSLR for one just yet. >> >> Cheers, >> >> Carl Clifford >> > > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: SLR without the mirror From: Peter Shute <pshute AT nuw.org.au> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 20:58:39 +1100 Yes, but I think they'll get there. One advantage of an electronic viewfinder is that you can magnify the image, or just the central portion, at the press of a button. Because current EVF resolution is still way below that of the sensor, this is possible without any interpolation. I suspect 2x or 3x magnification might let you focus as accurately as a split screen (just guessing), and they'll commonly let you go to 10x. Holding it still enough to use that magnification is another matter. I've used it on a tripod with the live preview on my DSLR, and it makes accurate focusing easy in that situation. I've also used it on my old Canon S3 compact superzoom with some success even with its low resolution EVF, but just activating manual focus on that camera was a difficult feat by itself. Peter Shute ________________________________________ From: Carl Clifford [carlsclifford AT gmail.com] Sent: Friday, 3 February 2012 7:04 PM To: Peter Shute Cc: 'kailashw AT hotmail.com'; 'birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au' Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror Peter, I think it may be some time before electronic viewfinders will out-do a good split-screen optical viewfinder. Cheers, Carl Clifford On 03/02/2012, at 4:26 PM, Peter Shute wrote: I do think that mirrorless cameras is where photography is heading, and it's good to see a manufacturer maintaining compatibility with current and legacy lenses. But this camera has neither optical nor electronic viewfinder, not even as an option, so I hope it's not where bird photography is heading. I think an electronic viewfinder is potentially better than an optical one if the resolution is good enough, but it's disappointing that there are so many photographers who don't need one at all that manufacturers can simply leave it out. I suspect that some time in the future the viewfinder/no viewfinder divide may be bigger than the mirror/no mirror one. Peter Shute -------------------------- Sent using BlackBerry ----- Original Message ----- From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au Sent: Fri Feb 03 15:52:22 2012 Subject: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror While on the subject of possible future directions for digital cameras Pentax is about to release a mirrorless body that is compatible with its existing SLR lenses http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-k-01-officially-announced.html while i don�t see myself hanging up the SLR anytime soon it will be interesting to see if this is the direction we are heading in Cheers, Kailash > Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:56:48 +1100 > From: "Michael Hunter" > To: > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: <21820382DBB447BAA4072FDE635100E3 AT UserPC> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. > > The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have > manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely > pinpoint, fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in > the bush results in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the > foreground, particularly at high zoom, the bird itself being out of > focus. > > I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, > good, but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth > trying if the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you > fiddle. ( It also packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came > good after drying out in front of the campfire, so check on > waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you want to go > there.) > > Cheers > > Michael > > Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:47 +0930 > From: Denise Goodfellow > To: Michael Hunter , Birding Aus > > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" > > Hi Michael > Lack of a manual focus is my particular bugbear as well. It's the only > thing that's put me off buying one of the new Nikons. > Regards > -- > Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow B.A. Grad.Dip.Arts > 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell NT 0832, AUSTRALIA > Ph. 61 08 89 328306 > Mobile: 04 386 50 835 > > Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant > PhD Candidate (Southern Cross University, NSW) > Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia > Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia > Nominated by Earthfoot (2004) for Conde Nast's Traveler > International Award > >> =============================== >> > Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:33:42 +1100 > From: Carl Clifford > To: "Michael Hunter" > Cc: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes > > Yes it is lacking a few features, notably, lack of external flash > ability. Lack of manual focus is definitely a minus. also, trying to > shoot hand held at max zoom would call for a very steady hand. > > It will be interesting to watch future developments though. Don't > think I will be ditching my DSLR for one just yet. > > Cheers, > > Carl Clifford > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: No trace so far of kidnapped European birdwatchers in Tawi-Tawi From: "Steve Potter" <steve AT frontier.org.au> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 18:52:42 +1030 Hi all Not sure if any of you have seen this. Steve Potter http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/246564/news/regions/no-trace-so-far-of- kidnapped-european-birdwatchers-in-tawi-tawi =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: SLR without the mirror From: Allan Richardson <albirdo AT bigpond.net.au> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 18:17:15 +1100 The problem with this type of design is that you are using the picture capturing sensor to generate an image on the rear screen of the camera. When you push the shutter release the camera must then switch form display mode to picture taking mode. This is why the compact cameras (even those with an electronic viewfinder) have an inherent delay between the pressing of the shutter and when the photo is captured. As a consequence anybody photographing active subjects, such as people (especially children), pets, flowers, on anything but a dead calm day, and you guessed it, birds, will likely encounter grief during the photographic process. Some birds are so fast in their reactions that they can move into a poor position when they hear the shutter on an SLR release, let alone a camera that shares it's sensor with viewing capability. Allan Richardson Morisset NSW. On 03/02/2012, at 4:26 PM, Peter Shute wrote: > I do think that mirrorless cameras is where photography is heading, and it's good to see a manufacturer maintaining compatibility with current and legacy lenses. But this camera has neither optical nor electronic viewfinder, not even as an option, so I hope it's not where bird photography is heading. > > I think an electronic viewfinder is potentially better than an optical one if the resolution is good enough, but it's disappointing that there are so many photographers who don't need one at all that manufacturers can simply leave it out. > > I suspect that some time in the future the viewfinder/no viewfinder divide may be bigger than the mirror/no mirror one. > > Peter Shute > > > -------------------------- > Sent using BlackBerry > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au > To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au > Sent: Fri Feb 03 15:52:22 2012 > Subject: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror > > > > While on the subject of possible future directions for digital cameras Pentax is about to release a mirrorless body that is compatible with its existing SLR lenses http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-k-01-officially-announced.html while i don�t see myself hanging up the SLR anytime soon it will be interesting to see if this is the direction we are heading in > > Cheers, > > Kailash >> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:56:48 +1100 >> From: "Michael Hunter" >> To: >> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: <21820382DBB447BAA4072FDE635100E3 AT UserPC> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" >> >> Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. >> >> The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely pinpoint, fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in the bush results in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the foreground, particularly at high zoom, the bird itself being out of focus. >> >> I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, good, but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth trying if the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you fiddle. ( It also packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came good after drying out in front of the campfire, so check on waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you want to go there.) >> >> Cheers >> >> Michael >> >> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:47 +0930 >> From: Denise Goodfellow >> To: Michael Hunter , Birding Aus >> >> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" >> >> Hi Michael >> Lack of a manual focus is my particular bugbear as well. It's the only >> thing that's put me off buying one of the new Nikons. >> Regards >> -- >> Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow B.A. Grad.Dip.Arts >> 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell NT 0832, AUSTRALIA >> Ph. 61 08 89 328306 >> Mobile: 04 386 50 835 >> >> Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant >> PhD Candidate (Southern Cross University, NSW) >> Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia >> Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia >> Nominated by Earthfoot (2004) for Conde Nast's Traveler International Award >> >>> =============================== >>> >> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:33:42 +1100 >> From: Carl Clifford >> To: "Michael Hunter" >> Cc: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au >> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom >> Message-ID: >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes >> >> Yes it is lacking a few features, notably, lack of external flash >> ability. Lack of manual focus is definitely a minus. also, trying to >> shoot hand held at max zoom would call for a very steady hand. >> >> It will be interesting to watch future developments though. Don't >> think I will be ditching my DSLR for one just yet. >> >> Cheers, >> >> Carl Clifford >> > > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: SLR without the mirror From: Peter Shute <pshute AT nuw.org.au> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 16:26:17 +1100 I do think that mirrorless cameras is where photography is heading, and it's good to see a manufacturer maintaining compatibility with current and legacy lenses. But this camera has neither optical nor electronic viewfinder, not even as an option, so I hope it's not where bird photography is heading. I think an electronic viewfinder is potentially better than an optical one if the resolution is good enough, but it's disappointing that there are so many photographers who don't need one at all that manufacturers can simply leave it out. I suspect that some time in the future the viewfinder/no viewfinder divide may be bigger than the mirror/no mirror one. Peter Shute -------------------------- Sent using BlackBerry ----- Original Message ----- From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au Sent: Fri Feb 03 15:52:22 2012 Subject: [Birding-Aus] SLR without the mirror While on the subject of possible future directions for digital cameras Pentax is about to release a mirrorless body that is compatible with its existing SLR lenses http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-k-01-officially-announced.html while i don’t see myself hanging up the SLR anytime soon it will be interesting to see if this is the direction we are heading in Cheers, Kailash > Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:56:48 +1100 > From: "Michael Hunter" > To: > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: <21820382DBB447BAA4072FDE635100E3 AT UserPC> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. > > The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely pinpoint, fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in the bush results in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the foreground, particularly at high zoom, the bird itself being out of focus. > > I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, good, but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth trying if the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you fiddle. ( It also packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came good after drying out in front of the campfire, so check on waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you want to go there.) > > Cheers > > Michael > > Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:47 +0930 > From: Denise Goodfellow > To: Michael Hunter , Birding Aus > > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" > > Hi Michael > Lack of a manual focus is my particular bugbear as well. It's the only > thing that's put me off buying one of the new Nikons. > Regards > -- > Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow B.A. Grad.Dip.Arts > 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell NT 0832, AUSTRALIA > Ph. 61 08 89 328306 > Mobile: 04 386 50 835 > > Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant > PhD Candidate (Southern Cross University, NSW) > Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia > Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia > Nominated by Earthfoot (2004) for Conde Nast's Traveler International Award > > > =============================== > > > Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:33:42 +1100 > From: Carl Clifford > To: "Michael Hunter" > Cc: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes > > Yes it is lacking a few features, notably, lack of external flash > ability. Lack of manual focus is definitely a minus. also, trying to > shoot hand held at max zoom would call for a very steady hand. > > It will be interesting to watch future developments though. Don't > think I will be ditching my DSLR for one just yet. > > Cheers, > > Carl Clifford > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Australian Bustard, Hamilton, Victoria From: Steve Clark <bukoba.steve AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 16:25:15 +1100 G'day all We've had an Australian Bustard at the Department of Primary Industries research farm, south of Hamilton for a couple of days apparently. I found out about it this afternoon and saw it just now. I'm told the farm staff have seen it previously this week. Over recent years we have had a few in the district - beginning with a flock of 5-6 near the Hamilton airport then singles near Bryan Swamp and Lake Linlithgow. I've always missed them until today! Cheers Steve Clark Hamilton, Vic =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: SLR without the mirror From: Kailash Willis <kailashw AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 15:52:22 +1100 While on the subject of possible future directions for digital cameras Pentax is about to release a mirrorless body that is compatible with its existing SLR lenses http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-k-01-officially-announced.html while i don�t see myself hanging up the SLR anytime soon it will be interesting to see if this is the direction we are heading in Cheers, Kailash > Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:56:48 +1100 > From: "Michael Hunter" > To: > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: <21820382DBB447BAA4072FDE635100E3 AT UserPC> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. > > The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely pinpoint, fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in the bush results in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the foreground, particularly at high zoom, the bird itself being out of focus. > > I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, good, but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth trying if the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you fiddle. ( It also packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came good after drying out in front of the campfire, so check on waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you want to go there.) > > Cheers > > Michael > > Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:47 +0930 > From: Denise Goodfellow > To: Michael Hunter , Birding Aus > > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" > > Hi Michael > Lack of a manual focus is my particular bugbear as well. It's the only > thing that's put me off buying one of the new Nikons. > Regards > -- > Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow B.A. Grad.Dip.Arts > 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell NT 0832, AUSTRALIA > Ph. 61 08 89 328306 > Mobile: 04 386 50 835 > > Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant > PhD Candidate (Southern Cross University, NSW) > Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia > Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia > Nominated by Earthfoot (2004) for Conde Nast's Traveler International Award > > > =============================== > > > Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:33:42 +1100 > From: Carl Clifford > To: "Michael Hunter" > Cc: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes > > Yes it is lacking a few features, notably, lack of external flash > ability. Lack of manual focus is definitely a minus. also, trying to > shoot hand held at max zoom would call for a very steady hand. > > It will be interesting to watch future developments though. Don't > think I will be ditching my DSLR for one just yet. > > Cheers, > > Carl Clifford > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Impact of climate change on pelagic birding From: Ian May <birding AT ozemail.com.au> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:14:25 +1100 g'Day all As many of you would be aware, the problem of using surface sea temperature measurements recorded from pelagic trips is that because of many variables, the data good for a seasonal guide but is almost useless for meaningful scientific comparison. Invariably data is recorded from sensors embedded in the fish finder (depth sounder) transducer fitted below the water line of the vessel. The sea surface temperature displayed on the instrument will nearly always be different between two transducer sensors even when fitted to the same vessel and also significantly different between two vessels unless properly calibrated. The reasons are many but include the mounting position and the depth below the sea surface of the sensors located on a vessel hull. The quality of the sensor also comes into the mix of considerations but will usually vary even between two new quality sensors such as Furuno connected to the same instrument. Picture two calibrated transducers, one stern mounted on a dinghy or small vessel (approx 0.2m below water line), the second through hull mounted in the deepest fwd hull section of a deep sea fishing trawler (say 2.0m or greater below water line). At the same location when day atmospheric temperatures are hot with calm sea conditions combined with little water movement (gentle tide and current), surface readings will be significantly different between the two vessels. In still water, temperature varies by the Cm. Then there are daily variability factors of sea water surface temperature. Apart from sensor variability, sea surface temperature readings are affected by water turbulence determined by prevailing wind, tide, current and cloud cover and also turbidity. Occasionally I have observed daily variations of up to 2C sea surface temperature at the same location when using the same calibrated sensor. But I could not speculate the consequences of a permanent 2C deg rise of sea temperature on sea birds however it is well known and expected that sea surface temperatures will rise in various parts of the world's oceans during La Nina weather patterns. See http://www.globalweathercycles.com/elninoforecastgwo.html Regards Ian May St Helens, Tasmania currently at Price, SA. 0428337956 Laurie Knight wrote: > If we can park the issue of scientific credibility, I would like the > tread to return to the original point. What is the impact of a rapid > increase in the temperature of ocean currents, such as the East > Australian Current on the distribution of pelagic birds? I know that > Paul Walbridge measured the sea temperature on each trip out of > Southport that I went on, so I presume that the subject of sea > temperature is of potential interest to pelagic birders ... > > Regards, Laurie. > > > On 01/02/2012, at 8:02 AM, Nikolas Haass wrote: > >> Dear Birding-Aus, >> >> Not sure if everyone here knows the difference between a scientific >> article such as the one by Wu et al. in Nature Climate Change and >> someones personal blog. >> I am not a climatologist but I am a scientist, too. Manuscripts >> submitted to any journal of the Nature Publishing Group (NPG) and to >> their serious competitors (e.g. Science and many others) undergo a >> thorough peer-review - usually by experts in the field. The main >> journal of the group, Nature, has a rejection rate of more than 90%, >> which shows how hard it is to get an article published in such a >> journal. But yes, it happens once in a while that a story gets >> published and later turns out to be wrong. Then other serious >> scientists - not some dubious bloggers - have the chance to correct >> the error in a professional peer-reviewed paper. >> >> M. complains about the lack of "REAL data" and calls the Wu et al. >> paper "flawed". O.K., maybe or maybe not? Where are the "REAL data" >> then that prove the Wu et al. paper wrong, M.? Finally, M.'s lack of >> understanding of the topic climate change is documented by his >> comment regarding "tiny differences in ocean temperatures". >> >> Why am I writing this? In doubt, it makes more sense to incorporate >> a professionally published article into public knowledge than >> someone's un-peer-reviewed blog that reflects the opinion of the >> writer rather than real science! >> >> Cheers, >> >> Nikolas >> >> P.S. Maybe the webmaster should take this whole counterproductive >> debate off the web? >> >> >> ---------------- Nikolas Haass nhaass AT yahoo.com Sydney, NSW >> From: Jeremy O'Wheel >> To: Laurie Knight >> Cc: Birding Aus >> Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 10:42 PM >> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Impact of climate change on pelagic birding >> >> Anthony Watts has no climatology qualifications, and his blog is >> devoid of >> any meaningful science. He has continually been debunked by actual >> scientists and is only a source of misinformation. Two degrees is a >> massive change for average temperatures. It's important to remember >> that >> the average global temp during the last ice age was *only* five degrees >> lower than now, and most of Europe, North America, and Tasmania were >> covered in ice. Averages are not the same as single day temperatures. >> >> Jeremy O'Wheel >> >> On 31/01/2012 9:01 PM, "Laurie Knight" >> wrote: >> Why do you say that a 1.5 to 2C change over 100 years is tiny, >> Martin? I >> would have thought a temperature change of that magnitude is quite >> significant. >> >> Anyhow, the article in question is available at http://www.nature.com/** > > >> nclimate/journal/vaop/**ncurrent/full/nclimate1353.**html> > >> >> The abstract is as follows: >> >> "Enhanced warming over the global subtropical western boundary currents >> . Lixin Wu, . Wenju Cai, . Liping Zhang, . Hisashi >> Nakamura, . Axel Timmermann, . Terry Joyce,. Michael J. >> McPhaden, >> . Michael Alexander, . Bo Qiu, . Martin Visbeck, . Ping >> Chang . & Benjamin Giese >> >> Nature Climate Change (2012) doi:10.1038/**nclimate1353Received 06 >> May 2011 >> Accepted 30 November 2011 Published online 29 January 2012 >> >> Subtropical western boundary currents are warm, fast-flowing >> currents that >> form on the western side of ocean basins. They carry warm tropical >> water to >> the mid-latitudes and vent large amounts of heat and moisture to the >> atmosphere along their paths, affecting atmospheric jet streams and >> mid-latitude storms, as well as ocean carbon uptake1, 2, 3, 4. The >> possibility that these highly energetic currents might change under >> greenhouse-gas forcing has raised significant concerns5, 6, 7, but >> detecting such changes is challenging owing to limited observations. >> Here, >> using reconstructed sea surface temperature datasets and century- >> long ocean >> and atmosphere reanalysis products, we find that the post-1900 surface >> ocean warming rate over the path of these currents is two to three >> times >> faster than the global mean surface ocean warming rate. The accelerated >> warming is associated with a synchronous poleward shift and/or >> intensification of global subtropical western boundary currents in >> conjunction with a systematic change in winds over both hemispheres. >> This >> enhanced warming may reduce the ability of the oceans to absorb >> anthropogenic carbon dioxide over these regions. However, >> uncertainties in >> detection and attribution of these warming trends remain, pointing to a >> need for a long-term monitoring network of the global western boundary >> currents and their extensions." >> >> The point remains that a lot of pelagic birding occurs along the East >> Australian Current and a 2C warming may have a significant impact on >> marine >> activity off SE Australia. >> >> Regards, Laurie. >> >> >> On 31/01/2012, at 8:52 PM, Martin Wigginton wrote: >> >> >> > Yes, I agree with Laurie that we should welcome any study that >> seeks to >> > obtain REAL data. With such tiny differences in ocean >> temperatures, it >> > might be difficult to detect impacts on bird distributions. >> Nevertheless, >> > real data is the stuff that counts. >> > >> > But flawed studies such as Wenju Cai's ocean 'hot-spots' give the >> game >> > away when they state: >> > >> > "Detecting these changes has been hindered by limited observations > > >> but >> > with a combination of multi-national ocean watch systems and computer >> > simulations we have been able to reconstruct an ocean history..." >> > >> > We should view with considerable scepticism studies such as these >> which >> > rely so heavily on computer modelling to reach what is clearly a >> > pre-determined conclusion. >> > >> > See also http://wattsupwiththat.com/**2012/01/30/oh-noes-wind-** >> > >> driven-global-warming-hot-**spots/> > >> > >> > ------------ >> > Martin >> > *All outgoing mails scanned by Norton Anti-Virus 2011 >> > >> > >> > -----Original Message----- From: Laurie Knight >> > Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 7:58 AM >> > To: Birding Aus >> > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Impact of climate change on pelagic birding > > >> > >> > >> > > >> > > There are some interesting articles reporting rapidly rising >> > > temperatures in key ocean curren... >> > >> >> =============================== >> >> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, >> send the message: >> unsubscri... >> =============================== >> >> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, >> send the message: >> unsubscribe >> (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) >> to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au >> >> http://birding-aus.org >> =============================== >> >> > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4779 - Release Date: 02/01/12 > > > g.Day all =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Nikon superzoom From: "Michael Hunter" <drmhunter AT westnet.com.au> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 09:13:26 +1100 Any tips on humidity proofing? One of our group's superdooper current model Canon also seized up in the Jungle (West Papua) in almost constant rain and high temperatures. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Shute" To: ; Cc: Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 6:29 PM Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > It wouldn't be hard to add manual focus to a camera like this, or a > hotshoe, or even to give it a zoom range that doesn't force the designers > to allow unacceptable fringeing at the extreme ends of the range (eg > 250-1000). > > Anyone would think the manufacturers were deliberately witholding such > features to help sell their DSLRs and lenses. > > Peter Shute > > > -------------------------- > Sent using BlackBerry > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au > > To: Michael Hunter > Cc: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au > Sent: Thu Feb 02 16:33:42 2012 > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom > > Yes it is lacking a few features, notably, lack of external flash > ability. Lack of manual focus is definitely a minus. also, trying to > shoot hand held at max zoom would call for a very steady hand. > > It will be interesting to watch future developments though. Don't > think I will be ditching my DSLR for one just yet. > > Cheers, > > Carl Clifford > > > On 02/02/2012, at 3:56 PM, Michael Hunter wrote: > > Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. > > The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have > manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely > pinpoint, fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in the > bush results in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the foreground, > particularly at high zoom, the bird itself being out of focus. > > I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, > good, but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth > trying if the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you > fiddle. ( It also packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came > good after drying out in front of the campfire, so check on > waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you want to go there.) > > Cheers > > Michael > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: UK birding change of month From: "Rosemary Royle" <rosemaryroyle AT tiscali.co.uk> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:36:28 -0000 May is perfect!!!! Rosemary Wales, UK ----- Original Message ----- From: dufton To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 2:52 AM Subject: [Birding-Aus] UK birding change of month Hi All Thank you to everyone who kindly sent us advice on places to go birding and see Puffins. We forgot the Olympics are starting at the end of July in London so we are going to try to go in May now. Hopefully this will not mean we are there too early. Three weeks is our maximum stay and it is going to be way to short. Kind regards Leonie and Michael Dufton. =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: New Nikon 42x zoom compact camera From: Denise Goodfellow <goodfellow AT bigpond.com.au> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:51:38 +0930 Yes, I certainly agree with the kudos! Denise on 2/2/12 5:34 PM, Paul Taylor at birder AT ozemail.com.au wrote: > On 1/02/2012 5:46 PM, Carl Clifford wrote: >> Nikon has just released a compact 42x super-zoom, the P510. The 42x >> zoom is the equivalent to 24mm - 1000mm in 35mm format. Could be a >> handy unit for birders. For details see >> http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/02/01/Nikon_Coolpix_P510_P310 > > 42x optical is certainly impressive (or foolhardy?) The devil will be > in the detail; how > much distortion, chromatic aberration, light loss etc. will you have to > suffer in return? > The lack of manual focus ring may be a blessing in disguise; trying to > dial in the right > focal length could be a challenge in itself! > > Kudos to Nikon for pushing the envelope. =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: New Nikon 42x zoom compact camera From: Paul Taylor <birder AT ozemail.com.au> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:04:48 +1100 On 1/02/2012 5:46 PM, Carl Clifford wrote: > Nikon has just released a compact 42x super-zoom, the P510. The 42x > zoom is the equivalent to 24mm - 1000mm in 35mm format. Could be a > handy unit for birders. For details see > http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/02/01/Nikon_Coolpix_P510_P310 42x optical is certainly impressive (or foolhardy?) The devil will be in the detail; how much distortion, chromatic aberration, light loss etc. will you have to suffer in return? The lack of manual focus ring may be a blessing in disguise; trying to dial in the right focal length could be a challenge in itself! Kudos to Nikon for pushing the envelope. -- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Paul Taylor Veni, vidi, tici - birder AT ozemail.com.au I came, I saw, I ticked. =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Nikon superzoom From: Peter Shute <pshute AT nuw.org.au> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 18:29:12 +1100 It wouldn't be hard to add manual focus to a camera like this, or a hotshoe, or even to give it a zoom range that doesn't force the designers to allow unacceptable fringeing at the extreme ends of the range (eg 250-1000). Anyone would think the manufacturers were deliberately witholding such features to help sell their DSLRs and lenses. Peter Shute -------------------------- Sent using BlackBerry ----- Original Message ----- From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au To: Michael Hunter Cc: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au Sent: Thu Feb 02 16:33:42 2012 Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom Yes it is lacking a few features, notably, lack of external flash ability. Lack of manual focus is definitely a minus. also, trying to shoot hand held at max zoom would call for a very steady hand. It will be interesting to watch future developments though. Don't think I will be ditching my DSLR for one just yet. Cheers, Carl Clifford On 02/02/2012, at 3:56 PM, Michael Hunter wrote: Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely pinpoint, fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in the bush results in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the foreground, particularly at high zoom, the bird itself being out of focus. I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, good, but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth trying if the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you fiddle. ( It also packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came good after drying out in front of the campfire, so check on waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you want to go there.) Cheers Michael =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Nikon superzoom From: "Chris Brandis" <cbrandis AT speedlink.com.au> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 17:56:20 +1100 Hi all They are cheep, small, easy to use and good for what they do, try focusing on something solid at about the same distance then move over to the subject ,but you will never get as good a shot as a reasonable SLR. Cheers ----- Original Message ----- From: "Denise Goodfellow" To: "Michael Hunter" ; "Birding Aus" Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 4:07 PM Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Nikon superzoom Hi Michael Lack of a manual focus is my particular bugbear as well. It's the only thing that's put me off buying one of the new Nikons. Regards -- Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow B.A. Grad.Dip.Arts 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell NT 0832, AUSTRALIA Ph. 61 08 89 328306 Mobile: 04 386 50 835 Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant PhD Candidate (Southern Cross University, NSW) Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia Nominated by Earthfoot (2004) for Conde Nast's Traveler International Award http://www.denisegoodfellow.com.au http://www.earthfoot.org http://groups.yahoo.com/group/baby-dreaming www.fatbirder.com/ For copies of Birds of Australia�s Top End or Quiet Snake Dreaming, visit amazon.com http://www.facebook.com/Wildlife.Tourism.Australia http://wildlifetourism.org.au on 2/2/12 2:26 PM, Michael Hunter at drmhunter AT westnet.com.au wrote: > Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. > > The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have manual > focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely pinpoint, fast, > autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in the bush results in > autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the foreground, particularly at high > zoom, the bird itself being out of focus. > > I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, good, > but > with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth trying if the > bird > or beast behind branches sits still while you fiddle. ( It also packed up > in > the humidity of rainforest, but came good after drying out in front of the > campfire, so check on waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you > want to go there.) > > Cheers > > Michael > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Nikon superzoom From: Carl Clifford <carlsclifford AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:33:42 +1100 Yes it is lacking a few features, notably, lack of external flash ability. Lack of manual focus is definitely a minus. also, trying to shoot hand held at max zoom would call for a very steady hand. It will be interesting to watch future developments though. Don't think I will be ditching my DSLR for one just yet. Cheers, Carl Clifford On 02/02/2012, at 3:56 PM, Michael Hunter wrote: Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely pinpoint, fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in the bush results in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the foreground, particularly at high zoom, the bird itself being out of focus. I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, good, but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth trying if the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you fiddle. ( It also packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came good after drying out in front of the campfire, so check on waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you want to go there.) Cheers Michael =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Nikon superzoom From: Denise Goodfellow <goodfellow AT bigpond.com.au> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:37:47 +0930 Hi Michael Lack of a manual focus is my particular bugbear as well. It's the only thing that's put me off buying one of the new Nikons. Regards -- Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow B.A. Grad.Dip.Arts 1/7 Songlark Street, Bakewell NT 0832, AUSTRALIA Ph. 61 08 89 328306 Mobile: 04 386 50 835 Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant PhD Candidate (Southern Cross University, NSW) Interpreter/transcriber, Lonely Planet Guide to Aboriginal Australia Vice-chair, Wildlife Tourism Australia Nominated by Earthfoot (2004) for Conde Nast's Traveler International Award http://www.denisegoodfellow.com.au http://www.earthfoot.org http://groups.yahoo.com/group/baby-dreaming www.fatbirder.com/ For copies of Birds of Australia�s Top End or Quiet Snake Dreaming, visit amazon.com http://www.facebook.com/Wildlife.Tourism.Australia http://wildlifetourism.org.au on 2/2/12 2:26 PM, Michael Hunter at drmhunter AT westnet.com.au wrote: > Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. > > The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have manual > focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely pinpoint, fast, > autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in the bush results in > autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the foreground, particularly at high > zoom, the bird itself being out of focus. > > I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, good, but > with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth trying if the bird > or beast behind branches sits still while you fiddle. ( It also packed up in > the humidity of rainforest, but came good after drying out in front of the > campfire, so check on waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you > want to go there.) > > Cheers > > Michael > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Nikon superzoom From: "Michael Hunter" <drmhunter AT westnet.com.au> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:56:48 +1100 Thanks for keeping us uptodate on the latest electronic wonders Carl. The new Nikons look absolutely fabulous EXCEPT that they don't have manual focus, which means that, unless they have an absolutely pinpoint, fast, autofocus capability, trying to focus on a bird in the bush results in autofocussing on twigs and leaves in the foreground, particularly at high zoom, the bird itself being out of focus. I have a Panasonic compact with a zoom equivalent of about 500mm, good, but with a very cumbersome manual focus mechanism, only worth trying if the bird or beast behind branches sits still while you fiddle. ( It also packed up in the humidity of rainforest, but came good after drying out in front of the campfire, so check on waterproofing or appropriate waterproof cases if you want to go there.) Cheers Michael =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: birding in the UK From: "Peter Madvig" <madvig AT iprimus.com.au> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 14:43:24 +1100 Hi all, So many good suggestions. I'd like to add The Scottish Seabird Centre, on the Harbour in North Berwick, Firth of Forth, about 45 mins by train east, from Edinburgh.We went late June, and went out in a Zodiac to Craigleith Island for Puffin, Razorbill, Common Guillemot, Kittiwake, European Shag, and even Fulmar. Next on to the Bass Rock, covered in snow...??? No, - 1000's of Atlantic Gannet. Easy to get to if your time is short, but, as others have said, August is too late for Puffins, etc. www.seabird.org Cheers Peter Madvig ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rosemary Royle" To: "dufton" Cc: "Birding Aus" Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 10:05 PM Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] birding in the UK > Leonie, > > Tricky - Puffins are mostly all gone from the breeding sites at the end of > July with just a very few remaining into the first week of August (this is > true for the Pembrokeshire Islands - it may be slightly different for > other sites) > > Second problem with Puffins is that they are along remote coasts and > islands. Probably the most accessible ones are at Bempton Cliffs in North > Yorkshire - this is an RSPB reserve and the website says they are there > till mid-August so you might be lucky!! > http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/p/puffin/index.aspx The > Guillemots and Razorbills are also gone by August > > I am struggling to think of short or one-day bird tours - most are a week > long. And of course August is a particularly low point for birdwatching > (not so bad for mammals) as breeding has finished and many small birds and > ducks are in moult and very hard to see. One possibility would be > Heatherlea in Scotland - they run various tours all through the summer and > they do short breaks. http://www.heatherlea.co.uk/ (The large Scottish > birds such as Eagle and Capercaillie are still visible in August!) > > Companies like Naturetrek and Limosa also do short breaks but probably not > at the right time of the year for you. > > I just tried doing a web search on "birding short breaks UK" and I did get > some hits - also "wildlife short breaks UK". It would be worth using a UK > search site such as http://uk.yahoo.com/ or http://isearch.avg.com/ > > For a day out you could try birdingpals http://birdingpal.org/. > > Also have a look at Fatbirder - this is the England page but there is also > one for Wales and Scotland. > http://www.fatbirder.com/links_geo/europe/england.html > > I can't offhand think of a nice friendly forum like birding-aus which you > could post your request on - I steer clear of UK birding sites as they are > generally so acrimonious and competitive and very twitching oriented!!. > > Can't think of anything else to suggest at present!! > > Rosemary > > Rosemary Royle, Wales, UK > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: dufton > To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au > Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 12:36 AM > Subject: [Birding-Aus] birding in the UK > > > Hi all > > Can anyone recommend a website that has short or one day birding tours in > the UK. > > Just need a starting point and I am not just birding so want something > broader than for hard core birders. > > I am planning my itinery now and plan to have two to three weeks in > August. > > Really want to see puffins. > > Thanks to everyone who helped with advice for my New York trip > > - fantastic birding in the Catskills and Adirondacks > > - if anyone is going there I am happy to share what we learned. > > Leonie Dufton > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: UK birding change of month From: "dufton" <dufton AT srspl.com.au> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:52:44 +1000 Hi All Thank you to everyone who kindly sent us advice on places to go birding and see Puffins. We forgot the Olympics are starting at the end of July in London so we are going to try to go in May now. Hopefully this will not mean we are there too early. Three weeks is our maximum stay and it is going to be way to short. Kind regards Leonie and Michael Dufton. =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Rufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. From: Del Richards <info AT finefeathertours.com.au> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:28:25 +1000 Thanks to those who got back to me regarding the Night Herons dismembering the Cane Toads. Their innards must be sweet as the packaging would put me off! Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman, NQ. On 01/02/12 4:02 PM, Carl Clifford wrote: > Tom, > > I saw that episode. The transcript is as follows: > > " At a pond in Hamburg, in 2005, toads started exploding during the > mating season. Thousands of toads, swollen to three times their usual > size, crawled out of the water, making eerie screeching noises, and > went pop. Toad entrails were propelled up to a yard away. > > The authorities feared toxic pollution, or a new �bird flu� style > health emergency, but when the �pond of death� was pumped into tankers > and analysed at laboratories, no clue was found. Exploding toads were > subsequently reported at other sites in Germany and Denmark. > > One theory is that the pond was infected by a fungus or virus, brought > in by nearby racehorses. Another is that birds peck the livers from > living toads; the toads then puff up, which is their natural defence > mechanism against predator attack, and water enters the cavity in > their body through the wound, and thus they keep inflating until they > pop. (Two years previously, crowds of Hamburg crows had taken to > attacking humans en masse, without warning, in a local park.) " > > > Cheers, > > Carl Clifford > > > On 01/02/2012, at 4:45 PM, Tom Tarrant wrote: > > Did anyone see an episode of QI shown a couple of weeks back? Stephen Fry > mentioned that there was a story of 'exploding' Common Toads (Bufo bufo?) > in the UK, at the time no-one knew the cause but it turned out that > crows > had been doing something similar and 'extracting' their organs and in > doing > so they had induced the amphibians to inflate themselves and explode! > (well > I think that's how the story went:-)) > > Tom > > On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 10:54 AM, Del Richards > wrote: > >> Over some years I have had a programme "Bird Talk Back" on ABC Far >> North in Cairns. Yesterday (31/01/2012) I fielded ten calls in thirty >> minutes. >> Early in the programme a caller from Walkamin (between Mareeba and >> Atherton) had found four dead cane toads with an small incision in their >> throat by her small backyard pond. >> I told her plainly that it was a good mystery thinking that it >> would be >> animal attack rather than bird predation. About three calls later a gent >> from Gordonvale south of Cairns assured us that he had watched >> White-tailed >> Rats and (surprise, surprise!) Northern Brown Bandicoots kill and eat >> the >> non-toxic underside parts of cane toads. >> Minutes later the mystery was solved when George who owned a >> piggery at >> Walkamin called in to tell us about Roufous Night Herons. He related >> that >> after an early evening storm one time he checked the piggery and that a >> night heron was moving through the pig pens and systematically flipping >> cane toads on their back and taking out their innards. >> Given the shape and dexterity of their pointed bill the night heron >> would be well able to extract the gut through a small incision. On my >> next >> programme I will endeavour to follow the thread on birds and cane >> toads in >> an effort to derive some more latent information that is held out >> there by >> everyday non-scientific observers. >> >> Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman, NQ. >> ==============================**= >> >> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, >> send the message: >> unsubscribe >> (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) >> to: >> birding-aus-request AT vicnet.**net.au >> >> http://birding-aus.org >> ==============================**= >> > > > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: birding in the UK From: "Alec Gillespie" <imlay AT tpg.com.au> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:35:14 +1100 An easy place to see Puffins, and nesting Gannets also would be Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve in Yorkshire. It has the advantage of being a mainland colony, and thus easily accessible. Alec Gillespie =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: birding in the UK From: Tim Jones <tim_jones8 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 02:13:54 +0000 Leonie is going to be in the UK. I don't think it looks like she'll be hopping on and off planes to other parts of Europe, and you don't need to do that to see Puffins. To answer her original question, there are probably a number of guides who could help with this sort of thing. It might be best to contact the RSPB in the UK to find someone who is nearby where she will be staying or planning to base herself. Having said that, there is a wealth of information (for the UK, more than anywhere else) on where to watch birds, including books which she could obtain via Amazon etc.. and plan some birding a various spots around wherever she decides to watch Puffins, or wherever is near to her base, without needing a guide. But it sounds like she wants the companionship of a guide and the relaxation of not having to do all this groundwork. If you are mainly around the south to middle of the country, the easiest place to access would be Bempton Cliffs, which is in East Yorkshire (still northern England, though). However, Puffins have been declining and I am not sure if the colony is still there (it used to be big). The other things that worries me slightly is that Puffins (if I remember right) are early breeders, and this is pretty late in the year. They may or may not still be around, and once the young have fledged, they are very much maritime creatures and tend to stay quite far out to sea outside the breeding season. Judith is also right about all those places if Leonie is willing to venture further afield, but that doesn't seem to fit the bill of 'short or one day birding trips'. Cheers Tim > Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:35:42 +1100 > From: billstent AT gmail.com > To: jacksonpm AT optusnet.com.au > CC: dufton AT srspl.com.au; birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] birding in the UK > > I have to add here, that if you want to see Puffins - thousands of > them - in a non-crowded but gobsmackingly beautiful location, you > can't go past the island of Runde on the coast of Norway. You can fly > in to �lesund and hire a car from there. > > > > On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 11:26 AM, Philip Jackson > wrote: > > Leonie > > Another great spot to see Puffins and many other seabirds, is Skomer Island. > > The island is off the south-west Wales coast and there is a regular ferry. > > If you Google 'Skomer Island' you will find lots of relevant information. As > > Judith suggests, high season might be crowded and if I remember correctly, > > the number a visitors is restricted. A fantastic scenic spot with lots of > > Puffins and other goodies. > > Hope that this helps > > Philip Jackson > > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Judith Hoyle" > > To: ; > > Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 4:33 PM > > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] birding in the UK > > > > > >> Hi Leonie, > >> > >> Have been meaning to respond to your post for a couple of days. Rosemary > >> gave some very good advice and info. I just wonder if you are absolutely > >> bound to going over in August?? It is peak season in the UK so most places > >> packed with tourists and, as Rosemary points out, quiet from a birding > >> perspective. If there is any flexibility, best to go in May or early June > >> (avoid bank holidays if poss). > >> > >> My two favourite places for viewing puffins etc are a) the Farne Isles off > >> the coast of Northumberland and b) the Isles of Lunga in the Inner Hebrides > >> - reached from the Isle of Mull. I have seen non-breeding puffins on the > >> Farne Isles in September. > >> > >> The advantage of both the above spots are that they are scenically > >> fabulous. The Northumbrian coast has beautiful isolated stretches of sandy > >> beaches - many dominated by castle ruins. Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and > >> Lindisfarne castles just to name a few. The walk across the golf links from > >> Embleton to Dunstanburgh is sublime, and from April through to July the > >> birding is great. Just up the road, Budle Bay is a wonderful place for easy > >> shorebird viewing. > >> > >> Many of the Inner (and of course, the Outer) Hebrides have wonderful > >> seabird colonies. What makes Lunga great is that you can go there with a > >> whale research vessel from Mull and see Minke Whales on the way not to > >> mention stacks of Artic Tern and Manx Shearwaters to name a few. If the > >> weather is fine you can get to Fingles Cave on the way too - spectacular! > >> Just off the end of Mull lies Iona. This sublime island is stuffed full of > >> history and is the site where St Cuthbert settled. It is also the site of > >> burial of many ofnthe Lords of the Isles. Birding on the Atlantic side / > >> shore of the island is wonderful. Mull is also a stronghold for Golden > >> Eagle, Diver spp and Otters. > >> > >> Hope I have not ranted too much, but even without the birds they are great > >> places. Again though I would try and avoid high season. > >> > >> Kind regards > >> > >> Judith > >> > >> Judith Hoyle > >> 0437549301 > >> > >>> From: dufton AT srspl.com.au > >>> To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au > >>> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:36:32 +1000 > >>> Subject: [Birding-Aus] birding in the UK > >>> > >>> Hi all > >>> > >>> Can anyone recommend a website that has short or one day birding tours in > >>> the UK. > >>> > >>> Just need a starting point and I am not just birding so want something > >>> broader than for hard core birders. > >>> > >>> I am planning my itinery now and plan to have two to three weeks in > >>> August. > >>> > >>> Really want to see puffins. > >>> > >>> Thanks to everyone who helped with advice for my New York trip > >>> > >>> - fantastic birding in the Catskills and Adirondacks > >>> > >>> - if anyone is going there I am happy to share what we learned. > >>> > >>> Leonie Dufton > >>> > >>> =============================== > >>> > >>> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > >>> send the message: > >>> unsubscribe > >>> (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > >>> to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > >>> > >>> http://birding-aus.org > >>> =============================== > >> > >> > >> =============================== > >> > >> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > >> send the message: > >> unsubscribe > >> (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > >> to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > >> > >> http://birding-aus.org > >> =============================== > >> > > > > > > =============================== > > > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > > send the message: > > unsubscribe > > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > > > http://birding-aus.org > > =============================== > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: birding in the UK From: Bill Stent <billstent AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:35:42 +1100 I have to add here, that if you want to see Puffins - thousands of them - in a non-crowded but gobsmackingly beautiful location, you can't go past the island of Runde on the coast of Norway. You can fly in to �lesund and hire a car from there. On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 11:26 AM, Philip Jackson wrote: > Leonie > Another great spot to see Puffins and many other seabirds, is Skomer Island. > The island is off the south-west Wales coast and there is a regular ferry. > If you Google 'Skomer Island' you will find lots of relevant information. As > Judith suggests, high season might be crowded and if I remember correctly, > the number a visitors is restricted. A fantastic scenic spot with lots of > Puffins and other goodies. > Hope that this helps > Philip Jackson > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Judith Hoyle" > To: ; > Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 4:33 PM > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] birding in the UK > > >> Hi Leonie, >> >> Have been meaning to respond to your post for a couple of days. �Rosemary >> gave some very good advice and info. �I just wonder if you are absolutely >> bound to going over in August?? It is peak season in the UK so most places >> packed with tourists and, as Rosemary points out, quiet from a birding >> perspective. If there is any flexibility, best to go in May or early June >> (avoid bank holidays if poss). >> >> My two favourite places for viewing puffins etc are a) the Farne Isles off >> the coast of Northumberland and b) the Isles of Lunga in the Inner Hebrides >> - reached from the Isle of Mull. �I have seen non-breeding puffins on the >> Farne Isles in September. >> >> The advantage of both the above spots are that they are scenically >> fabulous. �The Northumbrian coast has beautiful isolated stretches of sandy >> beaches - many dominated by castle ruins. Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and >> Lindisfarne castles just to name a few. �The walk across the golf links from >> Embleton to Dunstanburgh is sublime, and from April through to July the >> birding is great. �Just up the road, Budle Bay is a wonderful place for easy >> shorebird viewing. >> >> Many of the Inner (and of course, the Outer) Hebrides have wonderful >> seabird colonies. �What makes Lunga great is that you can go there with a >> whale research vessel from Mull and see Minke Whales on the way not to >> mention stacks of Artic Tern and Manx Shearwaters to name a few. �If the >> weather is fine you can get to Fingles Cave on the way too - spectacular! >> Just off the end of Mull lies Iona. �This sublime island is stuffed full of >> history and is the site where St Cuthbert settled. �It is also the site of >> burial of many ofnthe Lords of the Isles. �Birding on the Atlantic side / >> shore of the island is wonderful. Mull is also a stronghold for Golden >> Eagle, Diver spp and Otters. >> >> Hope I have not ranted too much, but even without the birds they are great >> places. �Again though I would try and avoid high season. >> >> Kind regards >> >> Judith >> >> Judith Hoyle >> 0437549301 >> >>> From: dufton AT srspl.com.au >>> To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au >>> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:36:32 +1000 >>> Subject: [Birding-Aus] birding in the UK >>> >>> Hi all >>> >>> Can anyone recommend a website that has short or one day birding tours in >>> the UK. >>> >>> Just need a starting point and I am not just birding so want something >>> broader than for hard core birders. >>> >>> I am planning my itinery now and plan to have two to three weeks in >>> August. >>> >>> Really want to see puffins. >>> >>> Thanks to everyone who helped with advice for my New York trip >>> >>> - fantastic birding in the Catskills and Adirondacks >>> >>> - if anyone is going there I am happy to share what we learned. >>> >>> Leonie Dufton >>> >>> =============================== >>> >>> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, >>> send the message: >>> unsubscribe >>> (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) >>> to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au >>> >>> http://birding-aus.org >>> =============================== >> >> >> =============================== >> >> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, >> send the message: >> unsubscribe >> (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) >> to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au >> >> http://birding-aus.org >> =============================== >> > > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: birding in the UK From: "Philip Jackson" <jacksonpm AT optusnet.com.au> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:26:36 +1100 Leonie Another great spot to see Puffins and many other seabirds, is Skomer Island. The island is off the south-west Wales coast and there is a regular ferry. If you Google 'Skomer Island' you will find lots of relevant information. As Judith suggests, high season might be crowded and if I remember correctly, the number a visitors is restricted. A fantastic scenic spot with lots of Puffins and other goodies. Hope that this helps Philip Jackson ----- Original Message ----- From: "Judith Hoyle" To: ; Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 4:33 PM Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] birding in the UK > Hi Leonie, > > Have been meaning to respond to your post for a couple of days. Rosemary > gave some very good advice and info. I just wonder if you are absolutely > bound to going over in August?? It is peak season in the UK so most places > packed with tourists and, as Rosemary points out, quiet from a birding > perspective. If there is any flexibility, best to go in May or early June > (avoid bank holidays if poss). > > My two favourite places for viewing puffins etc are a) the Farne Isles off > the coast of Northumberland and b) the Isles of Lunga in the Inner > Hebrides - reached from the Isle of Mull. I have seen non-breeding > puffins on the Farne Isles in September. > > The advantage of both the above spots are that they are scenically > fabulous. The Northumbrian coast has beautiful isolated stretches of > sandy beaches - many dominated by castle ruins. Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and > Lindisfarne castles just to name a few. The walk across the golf links > from Embleton to Dunstanburgh is sublime, and from April through to July > the birding is great. Just up the road, Budle Bay is a wonderful place > for easy shorebird viewing. > > Many of the Inner (and of course, the Outer) Hebrides have wonderful > seabird colonies. What makes Lunga great is that you can go there with a > whale research vessel from Mull and see Minke Whales on the way not to > mention stacks of Artic Tern and Manx Shearwaters to name a few. If the > weather is fine you can get to Fingles Cave on the way too - spectacular! > Just off the end of Mull lies Iona. This sublime island is stuffed full > of history and is the site where St Cuthbert settled. It is also the site > of burial of many ofnthe Lords of the Isles. Birding on the Atlantic side > / shore of the island is wonderful. Mull is also a stronghold for Golden > Eagle, Diver spp and Otters. > > Hope I have not ranted too much, but even without the birds they are great > places. Again though I would try and avoid high season. > > Kind regards > > Judith > > Judith Hoyle > 0437549301 > >> From: dufton AT srspl.com.au >> To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au >> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:36:32 +1000 >> Subject: [Birding-Aus] birding in the UK >> >> Hi all >> >> Can anyone recommend a website that has short or one day birding tours in >> the UK. >> >> Just need a starting point and I am not just birding so want something >> broader than for hard core birders. >> >> I am planning my itinery now and plan to have two to three weeks in >> August. >> >> Really want to see puffins. >> >> Thanks to everyone who helped with advice for my New York trip >> >> - fantastic birding in the Catskills and Adirondacks >> >> - if anyone is going there I am happy to share what we learned. >> >> Leonie Dufton >> >> =============================== >> >> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, >> send the message: >> unsubscribe >> (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) >> to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au >> >> http://birding-aus.org >> =============================== > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Fork-tailed Swifts en masse in QLD. From: Michael Tarburton <tarburton.m AT optusnet.com.au> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:19:29 +1100 G'day Swift watchers I have recently asked why there are so few FTS swifts in WA, NT & SA this season. Well now we know why. A very large proportion of the population is, or should I say was near Townsville on 26 Jan. The observers could not find them the following day. Don't criticise them, as none of us since 1974 have seen more than 8,000 FTS in a flock! Len & Chris Ezzy, Janet Robino, Peter Valentine, & John & Christine Stewart plus others have witnessed this huge flock, estimated to cover 50 sq km. They and others went looking for them the next day and found none. I saw 50 heading NE between Winton & Longreach on 21 Dec, so apparently they knew of the party that Townsville was going to throw. Question now is - where have they gone. BBC film crew also want to know, as they expect me to find 90-100,000 for them to film. They wont believe I cannot predict when or where these birds will be. Have you seen them? If not please look out for them and let me know how many you see. Thanks & Happy swift watching Mike =================== Prof Michael Tarburton tarburton.m AT optusnet.com.au =================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Birding Lamington N.P. From: <johnhopkins77 AT btinternet.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 21:46:52 -0000 Many thanks to all those kind people who replied to my posting. The consensus seems to be that I avoid going too far down Duck Creek Road whatever the vehicle..but that it’s not really necessary anyway. Looks like you’ve saved me some money...and a lot of bother.....thanks!! John. =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Rufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. From: "Stephen Ambrose" <stephen AT ambecol.com.au> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 08:33:09 +1100 Yes, Phillip is correct. An adult frog breathes in by lowering the floor of the buccal cavity (i.e. floor of the mouth), drawing air in through the nares (nostrils) while the mouth is closed, and expels air by raising the floor of the buccal cavity. There's also some exchange of oxygen & carbon dioxide across the skin through diffusion. Stephen Ambrose Ryde, NSW -----Original Message----- From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au [mailto:birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Philip Veerman Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2012 11:45 PM To: 'Tony Keene' Cc: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au Subject: [Birding-Aus] Rufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. Diaphragms? Sorry but that is not what is involved. They are an amphibian, not a mammal! Only mammals have a diaphragm. Philip -----Original Message----- From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au [mailto:birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Tony Keene Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2012 4:59 PM To: Tom Tarrant; Del Richards Cc: Birding-aus Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. If I heard correctly, the crows were making a tiny hole and extracting the liver. This meant that without the pressure against their diaphragms, the toads kept on inhaling until rupturing, apparently splattering entrails up to a metre away. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploding_animal#Toads I've heard of Black Butcherbirds ripping toads open down the length of their bellies after flipping them over. Hopefully, these pests will be a welcome major food source for native birds in the future. Cheers, Tony ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Tarrant Sent: 02/01/12 04:15 PM To: Del Richards Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. Did anyone see an episode of QI shown a couple of weeks back? Stephen Fry mentioned that there was a story of 'exploding' Common Toads (Bufo bufo?) in the UK, at the time no-one knew the cause but it turned out that crows had been doing something similar and 'extracting' their organs and in doing so they had induced the amphibians to inflate themselves and explode! (well I think that's how the story went:-)) Tom On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 10:54 AM, Del Richards wrote: > Over some years I have had a programme "Bird Talk Back" on ABC Far > North in Cairns. Yesterday (31/01/2012) I fielded ten calls in thirty > minutes. > Early in the programme a caller from Walkamin (between Mareeba and > Atherton) had found four dead cane toads with an small incision in their > throat by her small backyard pond. > I told her plainly that it was a good mystery thinking that it would be > animal attack rather than bird predation. About three calls later a gent > from G ordonvale south of Cairns assured us that he had watched White-tailed > Rats and (surprise, surprise!) Northern Brown Bandicoots kill and eat the > non-toxic underside parts of cane toads. > Minutes later the mystery was solved when George who owned a piggery at > Walkamin called in to tell us about Roufous Night Herons. He related that > after an early evening storm one time he checked the piggery and that a > night heron was moving through the pig pens and systematically flipping > cane toads on their back and taking out their innards. > Given the shape and dexterity of their pointed bill the night heron > would be well able to extract the gut through a small incision. On my next > programme I will endeavour to follow the thread on birds and cane toads in > an effort to derive some more latent information that is held out there by > everyday non-scientific observers. > > Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman, NQ. > ==============================**= > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.**net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > ==============================**= > -- ******************************** Tom Tarrant Kobble Creek, Qld http://kobble.aviceda.org http://picasaweb.google.com.au/aviceda/ ******************************** =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Rufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. From: "Tony Keene" <colonelboris AT gmx.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:12:11 +0100 Only relaying a garbled version I'd heard. I didn't have all that much time at work to completely research the subject nor amphibian anatomy. ----- Original Message ----- From: Philip Veerman Sent: 02/01/12 11:15 PM To: 'Tony Keene' Subject: Rufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. Diaphragms? Sorry but that is not what is involved. They are an amphibian, not a mammal! Only mammals have a diaphragm. Philip -----Original Message----- From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au [mailto:birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Tony Keene Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2012 4:59 PM To: Tom Tarrant; Del Richards Cc: Birding-aus Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. If I heard correctly, the crows were making a tiny hole and extracting the liver. This meant that without the pressure against their diaphragms, the toads kept on inhaling until rupturing, apparently splattering entrails up to a metre away. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploding_animal#Toads I've heard of Black Butcherbirds ripping toads open down the length of their bellies after flipping them over. Hopefully, these pests will be a welcome major food source for native birds in the future. Cheers, Tony ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Tarrant Se nt: 02/01/12 04:15 PM To: Del Richards Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. Did anyone see an episode of QI shown a couple of weeks back? Stephen Fry mentioned that there was a story of 'exploding' Common Toads (Bufo bufo?) in the UK, at the time no-one knew the cause but it turned out that crows had been doing something similar and 'extracting' their organs and in doing so they had induced the amphibians to inflate themselves and explode! (well I think that's how the story went:-)) Tom On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 10:54 AM, Del Richards wrote: > Over some years I have had a programme "Bird Talk Back" on ABC Far > North in Cairns. Yesterday (31/01/2012) I fielded ten calls in thirty > minutes. > Early in the programme a caller from Walkamin (between Mareeba and > Atherton) had found four dead cane toads with an small incision in their > throat by her small backyard pond. > I told her plainly that it was a good myster y thinking that it would be > animal attack rather than bird predation. About three calls later a gent > from G ordonvale south of Cairns assured us that he had watched White-tailed > Rats and (surprise, surprise!) Northern Brown Bandicoots kill and eat the > non-toxic underside parts of cane toads. > Minutes later the mystery was solved when George who owned a piggery at > Walkamin called in to tell us about Roufous Night Herons. He related that > after an early evening storm one time he checked the piggery and that a > night heron was moving through the pig pens and systematically flipping > cane toads on their back and taking out their innards. > Given the shape and dexterity of their pointed bill the night heron > would be well able to extract the gut through a small incision. On my next > programme I will endeavour to follow the thread on birds and cane toads in > an effort to derive some more latent information that is held out there by > everyday non-scientific observ ers. > > Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman, NQ. > ==============================**= > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.**net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > ==============================**= > -- ******************************** Tom Tarrant Kobble Creek, Qld http://kobble.aviceda.org http://picasaweb.google.com.au/aviceda/ ******************************** =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Photos, paintings and drawings of Australian, NZ, Swiss and British Birds www.tonykeenebirds.co.uk =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Começou o desfile de ofertas da Comprafácil. Confira! From: CompraFacil - YeahDesconto <campanhas AT yeahdesconto.com.br> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:39:23 +0000 =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Rufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. From: "Philip Veerman" <pveerman AT pcug.org.au> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 23:45:10 +1100 Diaphragms? Sorry but that is not what is involved. They are an amphibian, not a mammal! Only mammals have a diaphragm. Philip -----Original Message----- From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au [mailto:birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Tony Keene Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2012 4:59 PM To: Tom Tarrant; Del Richards Cc: Birding-aus Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. If I heard correctly, the crows were making a tiny hole and extracting the liver. This meant that without the pressure against their diaphragms, the toads kept on inhaling until rupturing, apparently splattering entrails up to a metre away. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploding_animal#Toads I've heard of Black Butcherbirds ripping toads open down the length of their bellies after flipping them over. Hopefully, these pests will be a welcome major food source for native birds in the future. Cheers, Tony ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Tarrant Sent: 02/01/12 04:15 PM To: Del Richards Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. Did anyone see an episode of QI shown a couple of weeks back? Stephen Fry mentioned that there was a story of 'exploding' Common Toads (Bufo bufo?) in the UK, at the time no-one knew the cause but it turned out that crows had been doing something similar and 'extracting' their organs and in doing so they had induced the amphibians to inflate themselves and explode! (well I think that's how the story went:-)) Tom On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 10:54 AM, Del Richards wrote: > Over some years I have had a programme "Bird Talk Back" on ABC Far > North in Cairns. Yesterday (31/01/2012) I fielded ten calls in thirty > minutes. > Early in the programme a caller from Walkamin (between Mareeba and > Atherton) had found four dead cane toads with an small incision in their > throat by her small backyard pond. > I told her plainly that it was a good mystery thinking that it would be > animal attack rather than bird predation. About three calls later a gent > from G ordonvale south of Cairns assured us that he had watched White-tailed > Rats and (surprise, surprise!) Northern Brown Bandicoots kill and eat the > non-toxic underside parts of cane toads. > Minutes later the mystery was solved when George who owned a piggery at > Walkamin called in to tell us about Roufous Night Herons. He related that > after an early evening storm one time he checked the piggery and that a > night heron was moving through the pig pens and systematically flipping > cane toads on their back and taking out their innards. > Given the shape and dexterity of their pointed bill the night heron > would be well able to extract the gut through a small incision. On my next > programme I will endeavour to follow the thread on birds and cane toads in > an effort to derive some more latent information that is held out there by > everyday non-scientific observers. > > Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman, NQ. > ==============================**= > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.**net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > ==============================**= > -- ******************************** Tom Tarrant Kobble Creek, Qld http://kobble.aviceda.org http://picasaweb.google.com.au/aviceda/ ******************************** =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Birding Lamington N.P. From: Roaminoz <roamin_oz AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 01:24:02 -0500 (EST) There is a 3 minute video on utube by a 4x4 traversing the track. I see the video was in 2010 so image it sure wont look like this anymore after our rain in January http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNrLREkGJsY -----Original Message----- From: Tom Tarrant To: Carl Weber Cc: birding-aus Sent: Wed, Feb 1, 2012 3:26 pm Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Birding Lamington N.P. Hi John, ave tried to reply to this but was at work and then saw Nick's reply. I aven't travelled down Duck Creek road for several years so I would advise aying more attention to his tips rather than mine. certainly wouldn't relish driving down Duck Creek road at the moment Currently it is incredibly wet in SE Qld.) however it might well be much rier in October and if so possible to take a 2WD down there (I have done o on numerous occasions, though I'm not sure how you would go with ental-car restrictions.....probably best to avoid[?]) Birdwise, there are a few 'specialities', in the first stretch of ainforest I have seen Paradise Riflebird, Crested Shrike-tit, Albert's yrebird but these can also be seen in other areas of Lamington NP. Where he vegetation changes to eucalyptus woodland you have a good chance of etting Spotted Quail-thrush, Red-browed Treecreeper, Glossy lack-Cockatoo, Buff-rumped Thornbill (and twenty years ago I saw Eastern ristlebird fairly close to this road, but seems little hope now though) If you let me know your 'hit-list' for SE Qld (offlist) I will try and help ou out with other sites. Tom n Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 7:58 AM, Carl Weber wrote: > Yes, replies on-list please. Am going there in March and haven't heard of Duck Creek Rd. Carl weber -----Original Message----- From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au [mailto:birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of John Tongue Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2012 8:42 AM To: johnhopkins77 AT btinternet.com Cc: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Birding Lamington N.P. Not boring to all!! Please reply ON list?? John Tongue Ulverstone, Tas. On 01/02/2012, at 6:19 AM, wrote: > Hello all, > > I am a UK birder and will be birding Lamington N.P. in October of this year. I will be staying at O'Reilly's ( of course!) and have been told that a 4wd is advisable for Duck Creek Road. The people at O'Reilly's however , have said that the road is in very poor condition and may not even be passable at all during October. I see no point in going to the additional ( and substantial) extra expense of a 4wd if I can't access the road at all. Does anyone know if the species particularly found there are accessible elsewhere around the lodge and , if so, can they be accessed by a 2wd vehicle? > If the reply is too boring for most list members, please reply off-list!! Many thanks. > > John. > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== -- ******************************* om Tarrant obble Creek, Qld http://kobble.aviceda.org http://picasaweb.google.com.au/aviceda/ ******************************* =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, end the message: nsubscribe in the body of the message, with no Subject line) o: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org ============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. From: Roaminoz <roamin_oz AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 01:20:11 -0500 (EST) Found all this most fascinating David .. especially after watching on the ABC last night the show titled Cane Toad: The Conquest. -----Original Message----- From: David James To: Del Richards ; birding-aus Sent: Wed, Feb 1, 2012 3:08 pm Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. Here is some latent information from a birder who previously conducted cientific reasearch on Cane Toads and other frogs in North Qld. The toxic parts f adult Cane Toads are the paratoid glands on the shoulders, the dorsal skin nd the ovaries. Quite a number of animals have learnt to eat the non-toxic arts by flipping the toads and chomping through the underbelly. Mostly they eat he internal organs (except the ovaries) and the thigh muscle meat. In ownsville in the 1990s I recorded Aust White Ibis, Black Kites, Australian avens and Water Rats doing this regularly. None however, left a tiny hole in he throat, they sliced the belly wide open. All searched for them ystematically, apparently following the theory of search pattern behaviour . t one point I had 24 open pens in a cow paddock by a dam, each with a single dult and 10-30 tiny metamorphs (i.e. newly metamorphosed from tadpoles). The dults started mysteriously disappearing after a couple of days. Turned out that a flock of Ravens that had learnt to heck the pens at dawn each day, flip and kill the toads and then cache them in rees. The sympatric Torresian Crows showed no interest in the Toads, but the avens would defended my pens from their rival Crows all the same. t does not surprise me that Night Herons also eat Cane Toads, and I'm sure any other herons do too. However, I would be surprised if Night Herons did so y making a small incision in the throat. They might be able to get the gut that ay, but not the heart or the thigh meat. I'm not sure what would eat them that ay, but suspect it might be something capable of crawling inside, a centipede erhaps? Dissecting one of these victims might help. ew things can eat a toad whole. A lot of snakes, goannas and quolls have pparently died trying to do so. The widespread decline of these readators still puzzles me a little, because the Common Green Tree Frog is just s toxic as the Cane Toad. These predators learn not to eat Green frogs, but ften don't learn to eat toads. Many of your listeners will know that their uppies learn not to eat toads and green frogs alike after only lick of each, ut might be sick for a day or two afterwards (and then pretend not to notice rogs for the rest of their lives). The Keelback, a common water snake that pecialises in eating frogs, eats the young metamorphs whole, and even seems to refer them to other frogs, at least sometimes. Meat Ants swarm and devour small oads. Green Tree ants will carry flattened and dried road killed toads in one iece up a tree to their nests in extrodrinary displays of determination. A hoto of a Papuan Frogmouth with a frog in its bill was published on the back cover of wingspan maybe 15 years ago, with he suggestion it may have been a Cane Toad, but who knows. In my pens, I bserved naive juvenile Pied Butcherbirds trying unsuccessfully to eat my etamorph toads. They would pick them up and fiddle with them in their bills but uickly drop them (alive and unharmed) and try another. I assume the small arcel of edible meat wrapped in poisonous skin is too difficult to process, nlike the adult toads. he question is often asked by frog researchers "why are metamorph Cane oads diurnal when most other frogs are nocturnal?". They usually offer answers ike the night is too cold or some other reason why metamorphs are unable to be ctive at night. I would suggest that they are able to be active by day when ost other frogs (including adult toads) cannot be, because they have better efence against predatory diurnal birds. ncidently, the tadpoles are very poionous too, and few predators can handle hem. This allows them to breed in water with fish, unlike native frogs. A olleague was studying what did and did not eat the tadpoles, but so long ago I an't recall much. Dragonfly larvae snip the tails off the taddies, which eaves them to die floundering helplessly. avid James, n Jakarta urunglaut07 AT yahoo.com ============================== _______________________________ rom: Del Richards o: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au ent: Wednesday, 1 February 2012 11:54 AM ubject: [Birding-Aus] Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. Over some years I have had a programme "Bird Talk Back" on ABC Far North in airns. Yesterday (31/01/2012) I fielded ten calls in thirty minutes. Early in the programme a caller from Walkamin (between Mareeba and Atherton) ad found four dead cane toads with an small incision in their throat by her mall backyard pond. I told her plainly that it was a good mystery thinking that it would be nimal attack rather than bird predation. About three calls later a gent from ordonvale south of Cairns assured us that he had watched White-tailed Rats and surprise, surprise!) Northern Brown Bandicoots kill and eat the non-toxic nderside parts of cane toads. Minutes later the mystery was solved when George who owned a piggery at alkamin called in to tell us about Roufous Night Herons. He related that after n early evening storm one time he checked the piggery and that a night heron as moving through the pig pens and systematically flipping cane toads on their ack and taking out their innards. Given the shape and dexterity of their pointed bill the night heron would be ell able to extract the gut through a small incision. On my next programme I ill endeavour to follow the thread on birds and cane toads in an effort to erive some more latent information that is held out there by everyday on-scientific observers. Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman, NQ. ============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, end the message: nsubscribe in the body of the message, with no Subject line) o: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org ============================== ============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, end the message: nsubscribe in the body of the message, with no Subject line) o: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org ============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. From: "Tony Keene" <colonelboris AT gmx.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:58:59 +0100 If I heard correctly, the crows were making a tiny hole and extracting the liver. This meant that without the pressure against their diaphragms, the toads kept on inhaling until rupturing, apparently splattering entrails up to a metre away. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploding_animal#Toads I've heard of Black Butcherbirds ripping toads open down the length of their bellies after flipping them over. Hopefully, these pests will be a welcome major food source for native birds in the future. Cheers, Tony ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Tarrant Sent: 02/01/12 04:15 PM To: Del Richards Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. Did anyone see an episode of QI shown a couple of weeks back? Stephen Fry mentioned that there was a story of 'exploding' Common Toads (Bufo bufo?) in the UK, at the time no-one knew the cause but it turned out that crows had been doing something similar and 'extracting' their organs and in doing so they had induced the amphibians to inflate themselves and explode! (well I think that's how the story went:-)) Tom On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 10:54 AM, Del Richards wrote: > Over some years I have had a programme "Bird Talk Back" on ABC Far > North in Cairns. Yesterday (31/01/2012) I fielded ten calls in thirty > minutes. > Early in the programme a caller from Walkamin (between Mareeba and > Atherton) had found four dead cane toads with an small incision in their > throat by her small backyard pond. > I told her plainly that it was a good mystery thinking that it would be > animal attack rather than bird predation. About three calls later a gent > from G ordonvale south of Cairns assured us that he had watched White-tailed > Rats and (surprise, surprise!) Northern Brown Bandicoots kill and eat the > non-toxic underside parts of cane toads. > Minutes later the mystery was solved when George who owned a piggery at > Walkamin called in to tell us about Roufous Night Herons. He related that > after an early evening storm one time he checked the piggery and that a > night heron was moving through the pig pens and systematically flipping > cane toads on their back and taking out their innards. > Given the shape and dexterity of their pointed bill the night heron > would be well able to extract the gut through a small incision. On my next > programme I will endeavour to follow the thread on birds and cane toads in > an effort to derive some more latent information that is held out there by > everyday non-scientific observers. > > Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman, NQ. > ==============================**= > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.**net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > ==============================**= > -- ******************************** Tom Tarrant Kobble Creek, Qld http://kobble.aviceda.org http://picasaweb.google.com.au/aviceda/ ******************************** =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Photos, paintings and drawings of Australian, NZ, Swiss and British Birds www.tonykeenebirds.co.uk =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: New Nikon 42x zoom compact camera From: Carl Clifford <carlsclifford AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:46:05 +1100 Nikon has just released a compact 42x super-zoom, the P510. The 42x zoom is the equivalent to 24mm - 1000mm in 35mm format. Could be a handy unit for birders. For details see http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/02/01/Nikon_Coolpix_P510_P310 Cheers, Carl Clifford =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. From: Carl Clifford <carlsclifford AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:02:11 +1100 Tom, I saw that episode. The transcript is as follows: " At a pond in Hamburg, in 2005, toads started exploding during the mating season. Thousands of toads, swollen to three times their usual size, crawled out of the water, making eerie screeching noises, and went pop. Toad entrails were propelled up to a yard away. The authorities feared toxic pollution, or a new �bird flu� style health emergency, but when the �pond of death� was pumped into tankers and analysed at laboratories, no clue was found. Exploding toads were subsequently reported at other sites in Germany and Denmark. One theory is that the pond was infected by a fungus or virus, brought in by nearby racehorses. Another is that birds peck the livers from living toads; the toads then puff up, which is their natural defence mechanism against predator attack, and water enters the cavity in their body through the wound, and thus they keep inflating until they pop. (Two years previously, crowds of Hamburg crows had taken to attacking humans en masse, without warning, in a local park.) " Cheers, Carl Clifford On 01/02/2012, at 4:45 PM, Tom Tarrant wrote: Did anyone see an episode of QI shown a couple of weeks back? Stephen Fry mentioned that there was a story of 'exploding' Common Toads (Bufo bufo?) in the UK, at the time no-one knew the cause but it turned out that crows had been doing something similar and 'extracting' their organs and in doing so they had induced the amphibians to inflate themselves and explode! (well I think that's how the story went:-)) Tom On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 10:54 AM, Del Richards wrote: > Over some years I have had a programme "Bird Talk Back" on ABC Far > North in Cairns. Yesterday (31/01/2012) I fielded ten calls in thirty > minutes. > Early in the programme a caller from Walkamin (between Mareeba and > Atherton) had found four dead cane toads with an small incision in > their > throat by her small backyard pond. > I told her plainly that it was a good mystery thinking that it > would be > animal attack rather than bird predation. About three calls later a > gent > from Gordonvale south of Cairns assured us that he had watched White- > tailed > Rats and (surprise, surprise!) Northern Brown Bandicoots kill and > eat the > non-toxic underside parts of cane toads. > Minutes later the mystery was solved when George who owned a > piggery at > Walkamin called in to tell us about Roufous Night Herons. He related > that > after an early evening storm one time he checked the piggery and > that a > night heron was moving through the pig pens and systematically > flipping > cane toads on their back and taking out their innards. > Given the shape and dexterity of their pointed bill the night heron > would be well able to extract the gut through a small incision. On > my next > programme I will endeavour to follow the thread on birds and cane > toads in > an effort to derive some more latent information that is held out > there by > everyday non-scientific observers. > > Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman, NQ. > ==============================**= > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.**net.au > > > http://birding-aus.org > ==============================**= > -- ******************************** Tom Tarrant Kobble Creek, Qld http://kobble.aviceda.org http://picasaweb.google.com.au/aviceda/ ******************************** =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Impact of climate change on pelagic birding From: Laurie Knight <l.knight AT optusnet.com.au> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:53:10 +1000 If we can park the issue of scientific credibility, I would like the tread to return to the original point. What is the impact of a rapid increase in the temperature of ocean currents, such as the East Australian Current on the distribution of pelagic birds? I know that Paul Walbridge measured the sea temperature on each trip out of Southport that I went on, so I presume that the subject of sea temperature is of potential interest to pelagic birders ... Regards, Laurie. On 01/02/2012, at 8:02 AM, Nikolas Haass wrote: > Dear Birding-Aus, > > Not sure if everyone here knows the difference between a scientific > article such as the one by Wu et al. in Nature Climate Change and > someones personal blog. > I am not a climatologist but I am a scientist, too. Manuscripts > submitted to any journal of the Nature Publishing Group (NPG) and to > their serious competitors (e.g. Science and many others) undergo a > thorough peer-review - usually by experts in the field. The main > journal of the group, Nature, has a rejection rate of more than 90%, > which shows how hard it is to get an article published in such a > journal. But yes, it happens once in a while that a story gets > published and later turns out to be wrong. Then other serious > scientists - not some dubious bloggers - have the chance to correct > the error in a professional peer-reviewed paper. > > M. complains about the lack of "REAL data" and calls the Wu et al. > paper "flawed". O.K., maybe or maybe not? Where are the "REAL data" > then that prove the Wu et al. paper wrong, M.? Finally, M.'s lack of > understanding of the topic climate change is documented by his > comment regarding "tiny differences in ocean temperatures". > > Why am I writing this? In doubt, it makes more sense to incorporate > a professionally published article into public knowledge than > someone's un-peer-reviewed blog that reflects the opinion of the > writer rather than real science! > > Cheers, > > Nikolas > > P.S. Maybe the webmaster should take this whole counterproductive > debate off the web? > > > ---------------- Nikolas Haass nhaass AT yahoo.com Sydney, NSW > From: Jeremy O'Wheel > To: Laurie Knight > Cc: Birding Aus > Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 10:42 PM > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Impact of climate change on pelagic birding > > Anthony Watts has no climatology qualifications, and his blog is > devoid of > any meaningful science. He has continually been debunked by actual > scientists and is only a source of misinformation. Two degrees is a > massive change for average temperatures. It's important to remember > that > the average global temp during the last ice age was *only* five > degrees > lower than now, and most of Europe, North America, and Tasmania were > covered in ice. Averages are not the same as single day temperatures. > > Jeremy O'Wheel > > On 31/01/2012 9:01 PM, "Laurie Knight" > wrote: > Why do you say that a 1.5 to 2C change over 100 years is tiny, > Martin? I > would have thought a temperature change of that magnitude is quite > significant. > > Anyhow, the article in question is available at http://www.nature.com/** > nclimate/journal/vaop/**ncurrent/full/nclimate1353.**html > > > The abstract is as follows: > > "Enhanced warming over the global subtropical western boundary > currents > � Lixin Wu, � Wenju Cai, � Liping Zhang, � Hisashi > Nakamura, � Axel Timmermann, � Terry Joyce,� Michael J. > McPhaden, > � Michael Alexander, � Bo Qiu, � Martin Visbeck, � Ping > Chang � & Benjamin Giese > > Nature Climate Change (2012) doi:10.1038/**nclimate1353Received 06 > May 2011 > Accepted 30 November 2011 Published online 29 January 2012 > > Subtropical western boundary currents are warm, fast-flowing > currents that > form on the western side of ocean basins. They carry warm tropical > water to > the mid-latitudes and vent large amounts of heat and moisture to the > atmosphere along their paths, affecting atmospheric jet streams and > mid-latitude storms, as well as ocean carbon uptake1, 2, 3, 4. The > possibility that these highly energetic currents might change under > greenhouse-gas forcing has raised significant concerns5, 6, 7, but > detecting such changes is challenging owing to limited observations. > Here, > using reconstructed sea surface temperature datasets and century- > long ocean > and atmosphere reanalysis products, we find that the post-1900 surface > ocean warming rate over the path of these currents is two to three > times > faster than the global mean surface ocean warming rate. The > accelerated > warming is associated with a synchronous poleward shift and/or > intensification of global subtropical western boundary currents in > conjunction with a systematic change in winds over both hemispheres. > This > enhanced warming may reduce the ability of the oceans to absorb > anthropogenic carbon dioxide over these regions. However, > uncertainties in > detection and attribution of these warming trends remain, pointing > to a > need for a long-term monitoring network of the global western boundary > currents and their extensions." > > The point remains that a lot of pelagic birding occurs along the East > Australian Current and a 2C warming may have a significant impact on > marine > activity off SE Australia. > > Regards, Laurie. > > > On 31/01/2012, at 8:52 PM, Martin Wigginton wrote: > > > > Yes, I agree with Laurie that we should welcome any study that > seeks to > > obtain REAL data. With such tiny differences in ocean > temperatures, it > > might be difficult to detect impacts on bird distributions. > Nevertheless, > > real data is the stuff that counts. > > > > But flawed studies such as Wenju Cai's ocean 'hot-spots' give the > game > > away when they state: > > > > �Detecting these changes has been hindered by limited observations > but > > with a combination of multi-national ocean watch systems and > computer > > simulations we have been able to reconstruct an ocean history�� > > > > We should view with considerable scepticism studies such as these > which > > rely so heavily on computer modelling to reach what is clearly a > > pre-determined conclusion. > > > > See also http://wattsupwiththat.com/**2012/01/30/oh-noes-wind-** > > driven-global-warming-hot-**spots/ > > > > > ------------ > > Martin > > *All outgoing mails scanned by Norton Anti-Virus 2011 > > > > > > -----Original Message----- From: Laurie Knight > > Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 7:58 AM > > To: Birding Aus > > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Impact of climate change on pelagic birding > > > > > > > > > > There are some interesting articles reporting rapidly rising > > > temperatures in key ocean curren... > > > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscri... > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Birding Lamington N.P. From: Laurie Knight <l.knight AT optusnet.com.au> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:40:37 +1000 Fascinating. I have been down Duck Creek Rd many times in a Subaru (It is my normal way home from the Park - avoids the traffic in the afternoon and gives a nice round trip feel). It was a fairly easy drive - (I remember seeing a pair of youths driving a souped up Corolla or similar up the track one time) - so it must have deteriorated quite badly in the last year or so. Perhaps I will have a look later on when things are drier. For me, the main issue was the top (rainforest) section being slippery during the wet - and there hasn't been a lot of that over the last decade ... Regards, Laurie. On 01/02/2012, at 3:26 PM, Tom Tarrant wrote: > Hi John, > > > Have tried to reply to this but was at work and then saw Nick's > reply. I > haven't travelled down Duck Creek road for several years so I would > advise > paying more attention to his tips rather than mine. > > > I certainly wouldn't relish driving down Duck Creek road at the moment > (Currently it is incredibly wet in SE Qld.) however it might well be > much > drier in October and if so possible to take a 2WD down there (I have > done > so on numerous occasions, though I'm not sure how you would go with > rental-car restrictions.....probably best to avoid[?]) > > Birdwise, there are a few 'specialities', in the first stretch of > rainforest I have seen Paradise Riflebird, Crested Shrike-tit, > Albert's > Lyrebird but these can also be seen in other areas of Lamington NP. > Where > the vegetation changes to eucalyptus woodland you have a good chance > of > getting Spotted Quail-thrush, Red-browed Treecreeper, Glossy > Black-Cockatoo, Buff-rumped Thornbill (and twenty years ago I saw > Eastern > Bristlebird fairly close to this road, but seems little hope now > though) > > If you let me know your 'hit-list' for SE Qld (offlist) I will try > and help > you out with other sites. > > Tom > > > > > On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 7:58 AM, Carl Weber > wrote: > >> Yes, replies on-list please. Am going there in March and haven't >> heard of >> Duck Creek Rd. >> >> Carl weber >> -----Original Message----- >> From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au >> [mailto:birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of John >> Tongue >> Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2012 8:42 AM >> To: johnhopkins77 AT btinternet.com >> Cc: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au >> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Birding Lamington N.P. >> >> Not boring to all!! Please reply ON list?? >> >> John Tongue >> Ulverstone, Tas. >> >> >> On 01/02/2012, at 6:19 AM, wrote: >> >>> Hello all, >>> >>> I am a UK birder and will be birding Lamington N.P. in October of >>> this >> year. I will be staying at O'Reilly's ( of course!) and have been >> told that >> a 4wd is advisable for Duck Creek Road. The people at O'Reilly's >> however , >> have said that the road is in very poor condition and may not even >> be >> passable at all during October. I see no point in going to the >> additional >> ( >> and substantial) extra expense of a 4wd if I can't access the road >> at all. >> Does anyone know if the species particularly found there are >> accessible >> elsewhere around the lodge and , if so, can they be accessed by a 2wd >> vehicle? >>> If the reply is too boring for most list members, please reply >> off-list!! >> Many thanks. >>> >>> John. >>> =============================== >>> >>> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, >>> send the message: >>> unsubscribe >>> (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) >>> to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au >>> >>> http://birding-aus.org >>> =============================== >> >> =============================== >> >> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, >> send the message: >> unsubscribe >> (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) >> to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au >> >> http://birding-aus.org >> =============================== >> >> =============================== >> >> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, >> send the message: >> unsubscribe >> (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) >> to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au >> >> http://birding-aus.org >> =============================== >> > > > > -- > ******************************** > Tom Tarrant > Kobble Creek, Qld > > http://kobble.aviceda.org > > http://picasaweb.google.com.au/aviceda/ > ******************************** > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. From: Tom Tarrant <aviceda AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:45:44 +1000 Did anyone see an episode of QI shown a couple of weeks back? Stephen Fry mentioned that there was a story of 'exploding' Common Toads (Bufo bufo?) in the UK, at the time no-one knew the cause but it turned out that crows had been doing something similar and 'extracting' their organs and in doing so they had induced the amphibians to inflate themselves and explode! (well I think that's how the story went:-)) Tom On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 10:54 AM, Del Richards wrote: > Over some years I have had a programme "Bird Talk Back" on ABC Far > North in Cairns. Yesterday (31/01/2012) I fielded ten calls in thirty > minutes. > Early in the programme a caller from Walkamin (between Mareeba and > Atherton) had found four dead cane toads with an small incision in their > throat by her small backyard pond. > I told her plainly that it was a good mystery thinking that it would be > animal attack rather than bird predation. About three calls later a gent > from Gordonvale south of Cairns assured us that he had watched White-tailed > Rats and (surprise, surprise!) Northern Brown Bandicoots kill and eat the > non-toxic underside parts of cane toads. > Minutes later the mystery was solved when George who owned a piggery at > Walkamin called in to tell us about Roufous Night Herons. He related that > after an early evening storm one time he checked the piggery and that a > night heron was moving through the pig pens and systematically flipping > cane toads on their back and taking out their innards. > Given the shape and dexterity of their pointed bill the night heron > would be well able to extract the gut through a small incision. On my next > programme I will endeavour to follow the thread on birds and cane toads in > an effort to derive some more latent information that is held out there by > everyday non-scientific observers. > > Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman, NQ. > ==============================**= > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.**net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > ==============================**= > -- ******************************** Tom Tarrant Kobble Creek, Qld http://kobble.aviceda.org http://picasaweb.google.com.au/aviceda/ ******************************** =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: birding in the UK From: Judith Hoyle <puffin_54 AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 05:33:19 +0000 Hi Leonie, Have been meaning to respond to your post for a couple of days. Rosemary gave some very good advice and info. I just wonder if you are absolutely bound to going over in August?? It is peak season in the UK so most places packed with tourists and, as Rosemary points out, quiet from a birding perspective. If there is any flexibility, best to go in May or early June (avoid bank holidays if poss). My two favourite places for viewing puffins etc are a) the Farne Isles off the coast of Northumberland and b) the Isles of Lunga in the Inner Hebrides - reached from the Isle of Mull. I have seen non-breeding puffins on the Farne Isles in September. The advantage of both the above spots are that they are scenically fabulous. The Northumbrian coast has beautiful isolated stretches of sandy beaches - many dominated by castle ruins. Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Lindisfarne castles just to name a few. The walk across the golf links from Embleton to Dunstanburgh is sublime, and from April through to July the birding is great. Just up the road, Budle Bay is a wonderful place for easy shorebird viewing. Many of the Inner (and of course, the Outer) Hebrides have wonderful seabird colonies. What makes Lunga great is that you can go there with a whale research vessel from Mull and see Minke Whales on the way not to mention stacks of Artic Tern and Manx Shearwaters to name a few. If the weather is fine you can get to Fingles Cave on the way too - spectacular! Just off the end of Mull lies Iona. This sublime island is stuffed full of history and is the site where St Cuthbert settled. It is also the site of burial of many ofnthe Lords of the Isles. Birding on the Atlantic side / shore of the island is wonderful. Mull is also a stronghold for Golden Eagle, Diver spp and Otters. Hope I have not ranted too much, but even without the birds they are great places. Again though I would try and avoid high season. Kind regards Judith Judith Hoyle 0437549301 > From: dufton AT srspl.com.au > To: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au > Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:36:32 +1000 > Subject: [Birding-Aus] birding in the UK > > Hi all > > Can anyone recommend a website that has short or one day birding tours in > the UK. > > Just need a starting point and I am not just birding so want something > broader than for hard core birders. > > I am planning my itinery now and plan to have two to three weeks in August. > > Really want to see puffins. > > Thanks to everyone who helped with advice for my New York trip > > - fantastic birding in the Catskills and Adirondacks > > - if anyone is going there I am happy to share what we learned. > > Leonie Dufton > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Fw: Fw: Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native birdspecies to revegetated urban parkland From: "Greg & Val Clancy" <gclancy AT tpg.com.au> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:27:15 +1100 Eastern Yellow Robins, White-browed Scrubwrens and Large-billed Scrubwrens have established populations on Susan Island, in the Clarence River at Grafton, following the removal of cattle and the growth of thick vegetation, both native and introduced. The nearest other permanent populations of these species are some kilometres away. So if you provide safe, suitable habitat the birds should find their own way there. If they don't you could try re-introductions. Dr Greg. P. Clancy Ecologist and Wildlife Guide Coutts Crossing NSW ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shirley Cook" To: "Messages Birding-aus" Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 2:33 PM Subject: [Birding-Aus] Fw: Fw: Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native birdspecies to revegetated urban parkland > Dear all, > > A comment from Steve Debus > > Regards > Shirley > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Stephen Debus" > To: "Shirley Cook" > Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 1:09 PM > Subject: Re: Fw: [Birding-Aus] Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native > bird species to revegetated urban parkland > > >> Hi Shirley, >> >> We achieved it with Yellow Robins in isolated bush blocks in farmland, so >> I'm sure it would work with scrubwrens and fairy-wrens in isolated urban >> reveg, but I don't know offhand of a precedent. I think it would be >> worth a shot. >> >> Cheers, >> >> Steve >> >> >> >> >> At 02:58 PM 31/01/12, you wrote: >>>Dear Steve and Hugh >>> >>>Can either or both of you comment on this question? >>> >>>Regards >>>Shirley >>> >>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Tim Dolby" >>>To: "Birding-aus" >>>Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 12:10 PM >>>Subject: [Birding-Aus] Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native bird >>>species to revegetated urban parkland >>> >>> >>>>Hi all, >>>> >>>>I 'm wondering if anyone is aware of any instances i.e. if there is any >>>>precedent for the re-introduction of native bird species to isolated >>>>revegetated native urban parkland? >>>> >>>>In particularly I'm thinking about the reintroducing of ground-dwelling >>>>species such as Superb Fairy-wren and White-browed Scrubwren which, >>>>unlike arboreal species, are unable to migrate into revegetated parkland >>>>due to the lack of an existing native corridor - specifically when the >>>>revegetation process involves developing complex native shrubslands, >>>>perfect habitat for these species. >>>> >>>>Cheers, >>>> >>>>Tim Dolby >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>This email, including any attachment, is intended solely for the use of >>>>the intended recipient. It is confidential and may contain personal >>>>information or be subject to legal professional privilege. If you are >>>>not the intended recipient any use, disclosure, reproduction or storage >>>>of it is unauthorised. If you have received this email in error, please >>>>advise the sender via return email and delete it from your system >>>>immediately. Victoria University does not warrant that this email is >>>>free from viruses or defects and accepts no liability for any damage >>>>caused by such viruses or defects. >>>>=============================== >>>> >>>>To unsubscribe from this mailing list, >>>>send the message: >>>>unsubscribe >>>>(in the body of the message, with no Subject line) >>>>to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au >>>> >>>>http://birding-aus.org >>>>=============================== >> > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Birding Lamington N.P. From: Tom Tarrant <aviceda AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:26:21 +1000 Hi John, Have tried to reply to this but was at work and then saw Nick's reply. I haven't travelled down Duck Creek road for several years so I would advise paying more attention to his tips rather than mine. I certainly wouldn't relish driving down Duck Creek road at the moment (Currently it is incredibly wet in SE Qld.) however it might well be much drier in October and if so possible to take a 2WD down there (I have done so on numerous occasions, though I'm not sure how you would go with rental-car restrictions.....probably best to avoid[?]) Birdwise, there are a few 'specialities', in the first stretch of rainforest I have seen Paradise Riflebird, Crested Shrike-tit, Albert's Lyrebird but these can also be seen in other areas of Lamington NP. Where the vegetation changes to eucalyptus woodland you have a good chance of getting Spotted Quail-thrush, Red-browed Treecreeper, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Buff-rumped Thornbill (and twenty years ago I saw Eastern Bristlebird fairly close to this road, but seems little hope now though) If you let me know your 'hit-list' for SE Qld (offlist) I will try and help you out with other sites. Tom On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 7:58 AM, Carl Weber wrote: > Yes, replies on-list please. Am going there in March and haven't heard of > Duck Creek Rd. > > Carl weber > -----Original Message----- > From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au > [mailto:birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of John Tongue > Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2012 8:42 AM > To: johnhopkins77 AT btinternet.com > Cc: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Birding Lamington N.P. > > Not boring to all!! Please reply ON list?? > > John Tongue > Ulverstone, Tas. > > > On 01/02/2012, at 6:19 AM, wrote: > > > Hello all, > > > > I am a UK birder and will be birding Lamington N.P. in October of this > year. I will be staying at O'Reilly's ( of course!) and have been told that > a 4wd is advisable for Duck Creek Road. The people at O'Reilly's however , > have said that the road is in very poor condition and may not even be > passable at all during October. I see no point in going to the additional > ( > and substantial) extra expense of a 4wd if I can't access the road at all. > Does anyone know if the species particularly found there are accessible > elsewhere around the lodge and , if so, can they be accessed by a 2wd > vehicle? > > If the reply is too boring for most list members, please reply > off-list!! > Many thanks. > > > > John. > > =============================== > > > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > > send the message: > > unsubscribe > > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > > > http://birding-aus.org > > =============================== > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > -- ******************************** Tom Tarrant Kobble Creek, Qld http://kobble.aviceda.org http://picasaweb.google.com.au/aviceda/ ********************************=============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native birdspecies to revegetated urban parkland From: "Philip Veerman" <pveerman AT pcug.org.au> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:20:13 +1100 The Brown Treecreepers into a woodland remnant near Canberra comment is relevant but they are quite different situation from Superb Fairy-wren and White-browed Scrubwren. Or maybe I am just thinking of Canberra, where the latter two species are still so common and dispersive, that they re establish themselves constantly, just through normal dispersal. (Hard to suggest a need for such a program here for those species.) Sure due to the numbers of Pied Currawongs and cats, (and possibly Collared Sparrowhawks), urban areas may be a bit of a population sink for them. In contrast, the Brown Treecreepers has declined from formerly reasonably widespread to very few colonies, that are very isolated. We do not have Brown Treecreepers just passing through Canberra suburban habitat but the other two species constantly do and breed successfully in suburban gardens and parks (I have had both species at least once successfully raising young in my very ordinary little suburban garden). Philip Veerman 24 Castley Circuit Kambah ACT 2902 02 - 62314041 -----Original Message-----From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au [mailto:birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Shirley Cook Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2012 2:33 PM To: Messages Birding-aus Subject: [Birding-Aus] Fw: Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native birdspecies to revegetated urban parkland Dear all, A comment from Hugh Ford Regards Shirley ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hugh Ford" To: "Shirley Cook" ; "Stephen Debus" ; Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 10:15 AM Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native bird species to revegetated urban parkland > Dear Tim > > Shirley passed this on to Steve and me. I am unaware of any reintroductions > of birds into urban areas in Australia though I am sure it has been done > elsewhere. Steve can tell you about translocations of Yellow Robins around > Armidale, but into vegetation remnants in a rural landscape. Have you been > in contact with Victoria Sheean (Bennett) (victoria.sheean AT anu.edu.au). > She has been involved in the reintroduction of Brown Treecreepers into a > woodland remnant near Canberra. She also wrote a review of relocations in > Australia (all taxa - but there weren't many on birds). > > Did you see the recent paper in Emu on fairy-wrens in suburban > habitat, I can't remember the authors? It compared habitat used in > natural and suburban areas, which was pretty similar, Superbs fairly > common but not many sites with Variegated Fws. Successful > reintroductions seem very dependent on choosing suitable habitat and > trying to reduce risk of predation - I suspect > the latter will be hard in urban sites. > > Let me know how you get on with this project. > > Regards > > Hugh > > > On 31/01/12 2:58 PM, "Shirley Cook" wrote: > >> Dear Steve and Hugh >> >> Can either or both of you comment on this question? >> >> Regards >> Shirley >> >> ----- Original Message ----->> From: "Tim Dolby" >> To: "Birding-aus" >> Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 12:10 PM>> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native bird species >> to revegetated urban parkland >> >> >>> Hi all, >>> >>> I 'm wondering if anyone is aware of any instances i.e. if there is >>> any precedent for the re-introduction of native bird species to >>> isolated revegetated native urban parkland? >>> >>> In particularly I'm thinking about the reintroducing of >>> ground-dwelling species such as Superb Fairy-wren and White-browed >>> Scrubwren which, unlike arboreal species, are unable to migrate into >>> revegetated parkland due to the lack of an existing native corridor >>> - specifically when the revegetation process involves developing >>> complex native shrubslands, perfect habitat for these species. >>> >>> Cheers, >>> >>> Tim Dolby =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. From: David James <burunglaut07 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:08:14 -0800 (PST) Here is some latent information from a birder who previously conducted scientific reasearch on Cane Toads and other frogs in North Qld.�The toxic parts of adult Cane Toads are the paratoid glands on the shoulders,��the dorsal skin and the ovaries. �Quite a number of animals have learnt to eat the non-toxic parts by flipping the toads and chomping through the underbelly. Mostly they eat the�internal organs (except the ovaries) and the thigh muscle meat. In Townsville in the 1990s I recorded Aust White Ibis, Black Kites, Australian Ravens and Water Rats doing this regularly. None however, left a tiny hole in the throat, they sliced the belly wide open.��All searched for them systematically, apparently following the theory of search pattern behaviour .� At one point I had 24 open pens in a cow paddock by a dam, each with a single adult and 10-30 tiny metamorphs (i.e. newly metamorphosed from tadpoles). The adults started mysteriously disappearing after a couple of days. Turned out that a flock of Ravens that had learnt to check the pens at dawn each day, flip and kill the toads and then cache them in trees. The sympatric Torresian Crows showed no interest in the Toads, but the Ravens would defended my pens from their rival�Crows all the same. � It does not surprise me that Night Herons also eat Cane Toads, and I'm sure many�other herons do too. However,�I would be surprised if Night Herons did so by making a small incision in the throat. They might be able to get the gut that way, but not the heart or the thigh meat. I'm not sure what would eat them that way, but suspect it might be something capable of crawling inside, a centipede perhaps? Dissecting one of these victims might help. � Few things can eat a toad whole. A lot of snakes, goannas and quolls have apparently died trying to do so. The widespread decline of these preadators�still puzzles me a little, because the Common Green Tree Frog is just as toxic as the Cane Toad. These predators learn not to eat Green frogs, but often don't learn to eat toads.�Many of your listeners will know that their puppies learn not to eat toads and green frogs alike after only lick of each, but might be sick for a day or two afterwards (and then pretend not to notice frogs for the rest of their lives). The Keelback, a common water�snake that specialises in eating frogs, eats the young metamorphs whole, and even seems to prefer them to other frogs, at least sometimes. Meat Ants swarm and devour small toads. Green Tree ants will carry flattened and dried road killed toads in one piece up a tree to their nests in extrodrinary displays of determination. A photo of a Papuan Frogmouth�with a frog in its bill was published on the back cover of wingspan maybe 15 years ago, with the suggestion it may have been a Cane Toad, but who knows.��In my pens, I observed naive juvenile Pied Butcherbirds trying unsuccessfully to eat my metamorph toads. They would pick them up and fiddle with them in their bills but quickly drop them (alive and unharmed) and try another.�I assume the small parcel of edible meat wrapped in poisonous skin is too difficult to process, unlike the adult toads. � � The question is often asked by frog researchers "why are metamorph Cane Toads�diurnal when most other frogs are nocturnal?". They usually offer answers like the night is too cold or some other reason why metamorphs are unable to�be active at night. I would suggest that they are able to be active by day when most other frogs (including adult toads) cannot be, because they have better defence against predatory diurnal birds.� � Incidently, the tadpoles are very poionous too, and few predators can handle them. This allows them to breed in water with fish, unlike native frogs.� A colleague was studying what did and did not eat the tadpoles, but so long ago I can't recall much.��Dragonfly larvae snip the tails off the taddies, which leaves them to die floundering helplessly.� � David James, in Jakarta burunglaut07 AT yahoo.com �============================== ________________________________ From: Del Richards To: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2012 11:54 AM Subject: [Birding-Aus] Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. � � Over some years I have had a programme "Bird Talk Back" on ABC Far North in Cairns. Yesterday (31/01/2012) I fielded ten calls in thirty minutes. � � Early in the programme a caller from Walkamin (between Mareeba and Atherton) had found four dead cane toads with an small incision in their throat by her small backyard pond. � � I told her plainly that it was a good mystery thinking that it would be animal attack rather than bird predation. About three calls later a gent from Gordonvale south of Cairns assured us that he had watched White-tailed Rats and (surprise, surprise!) Northern Brown Bandicoots kill and eat the non-toxic underside parts of cane toads. � � Minutes later the mystery was solved when George who owned a piggery at Walkamin called in to tell us about Roufous Night Herons. He related that after an early evening storm one time he checked the piggery and that a night heron was moving through the pig pens and systematically flipping cane toads on their back and taking out their innards. � � Given the shape and dexterity of their pointed bill the night heron would be well able to extract the gut through a small incision. On my next programme I will endeavour to follow the thread on birds and cane toads in an effort to derive some more latent information that is held out there by everyday non-scientific observers. Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman, NQ. =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Birding Lamington NP From: Andrew Stafford <pintado AT ozemail.com.au> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:37:49 +1000 John As others have pointed out, the three main species you are looking for on Duck Creek Road are Red-browed Treecreeper, Spotted Quail-thrush and Glossy Black-Cockatoo. It may be possible to get any of those species further down the main road from Canungra into Lamington in areas of open woodland and casuarina, which the cockatoos feed in - the staff at O'Reilly's may be able to give you advice about this closer to the time. I have for example bumped into Quail-thrush on this road on occasion and know others have, also. However, presuming you need to pass through Brisbane, this species is actually very accessible and relatively easy not far from the city, while Red-browed Treecreeper and the Black-Cockatoo can be found at Spicer's Gap, less than one and a half hours to the south-west. I am happy to provide further details if required. Cheers Andrew =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Duck Creek Rd From: "Peter Menkhorst" <pmenk AT bigpond.net.au> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:39:28 +1100 John all the species that people have mentioned as a reason to go down Duck Creek Rd are perfectly gettable at numerous places up and down the east coast of the continent eg within a days drive of Melbourne (except Glossy Black Cocky but you have just as much chance of finding that on the Gold Coast). Those species are not worth any risk to your vehicle. Peter Menkhorst =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Fw: Fw: Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native bird species to revegetated urban parkland From: "Shirley Cook" <shirleycook1 AT bigpond.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:33:06 +1100 Dear all, A comment from Steve Debus Regards Shirley ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stephen Debus" To: "Shirley Cook" Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 1:09 PM Subject: Re: Fw: [Birding-Aus] Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native bird species to revegetated urban parkland > Hi Shirley, > > We achieved it with Yellow Robins in isolated bush blocks in farmland, so > I'm sure it would work with scrubwrens and fairy-wrens in isolated urban > reveg, but I don't know offhand of a precedent. I think it would be worth > a shot. > > Cheers, > > Steve > > > > > At 02:58 PM 31/01/12, you wrote: >>Dear Steve and Hugh >> >>Can either or both of you comment on this question? >> >>Regards >>Shirley >> >>----- Original Message ----- From: "Tim Dolby" >>To: "Birding-aus" >>Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 12:10 PM >>Subject: [Birding-Aus] Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native bird >>species to revegetated urban parkland >> >> >>>Hi all, >>> >>>I 'm wondering if anyone is aware of any instances i.e. if there is any >>>precedent for the re-introduction of native bird species to isolated >>>revegetated native urban parkland? >>> >>>In particularly I'm thinking about the reintroducing of ground-dwelling >>>species such as Superb Fairy-wren and White-browed Scrubwren which, >>>unlike arboreal species, are unable to migrate into revegetated parkland >>>due to the lack of an existing native corridor - specifically when the >>>revegetation process involves developing complex native shrubslands, >>>perfect habitat for these species. >>> >>>Cheers, >>> >>>Tim Dolby >>> >>> >>> >>>This email, including any attachment, is intended solely for the use of >>>the intended recipient. It is confidential and may contain personal >>>information or be subject to legal professional privilege. If you are not >>>the intended recipient any use, disclosure, reproduction or storage of it >>>is unauthorised. If you have received this email in error, please advise >>>the sender via return email and delete it from your system immediately. >>>Victoria University does not warrant that this email is free from viruses >>>or defects and accepts no liability for any damage caused by such viruses >>>or defects. >>>=============================== >>> >>>To unsubscribe from this mailing list, >>>send the message: >>>unsubscribe >>>(in the body of the message, with no Subject line) >>>to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au >>> >>>http://birding-aus.org >>>=============================== > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Fw: Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native bird species to revegetated urban parkland From: "Shirley Cook" <shirleycook1 AT bigpond.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:32:39 +1100 Dear all, A comment from Hugh Ford Regards Shirley ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hugh Ford" To: "Shirley Cook" ; "Stephen Debus" ; Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 10:15 AM Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native bird species to revegetated urban parkland > Dear Tim > > Shirley passed this on to Steve and me. I am unaware of any > reintroductions > of birds into urban areas in Australia though I am sure it has been done > elsewhere. Steve can tell you about translocations of Yellow Robins around > Armidale, but into vegetation remnants in a rural landscape. Have you been > in contact with Victoria Sheean (Bennett) (victoria.sheean AT anu.edu.au). > She > has been involved in the reintroduction of Brown Treecreepers into a > woodland remnant near Canberra. She also wrote a review of relocations in > Australia (all taxa - but there weren't many on birds). > > Did you see the recent paper in Emu on fairy-wrens in suburban habitat, I > can't remember the authors? It compared habitat used in natural and > suburban > areas, which was pretty similar, Superbs fairly common but not many sites > with Variegated Fws. Successful reintroductions seem very dependent on > choosing suitable habitat and trying to reduce risk of predation - I > suspect > the latter will be hard in urban sites. > > Let me know how you get on with this project. > > Regards > > Hugh > > > On 31/01/12 2:58 PM, "Shirley Cook" wrote: > >> Dear Steve and Hugh >> >> Can either or both of you comment on this question? >> >> Regards >> Shirley >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Tim Dolby" >> To: "Birding-aus" >> Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 12:10 PM >> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Re-introduction of growd-dwelling native bird >> species >> to revegetated urban parkland >> >> >>> Hi all, >>> >>> I 'm wondering if anyone is aware of any instances i.e. if there is any >>> precedent for the re-introduction of native bird species to isolated >>> revegetated native urban parkland? >>> >>> In particularly I'm thinking about the reintroducing of ground-dwelling >>> species such as Superb Fairy-wren and White-browed Scrubwren which, >>> unlike >>> arboreal species, are unable to migrate into revegetated parkland due to >>> the lack of an existing native corridor - specifically when the >>> revegetation process involves developing complex native shrubslands, >>> perfect habitat for these species. >>> >>> Cheers, >>> >>> Tim Dolby >>> >>> >>> >>> This email, including any attachment, is intended solely for the use of >>> the intended recipient. It is confidential and may contain personal >>> information or be subject to legal professional privilege. If you are >>> not >>> the intended recipient any use, disclosure, reproduction or storage of >>> it >>> is unauthorised. If you have received this email in error, please advise >>> the sender via return email and delete it from your system immediately. >>> Victoria University does not warrant that this email is free from >>> viruses >>> or defects and accepts no liability for any damage caused by such >>> viruses >>> or defects. >>> =============================== >>> >>> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, >>> send the message: >>> unsubscribe >>> (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) >>> to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au >>> >>> http://birding-aus.org >>> =============================== >> > > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Birding Lamington NP - Duck Creek Rd From: Carl Clifford <carlsclifford AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:18:18 +1100 John, There has been an awful lot of rain up there since September. I don't think anyone will be going down Duck Creek Rd for a while. Cheers, Carl Clifford On 01/02/2012, at 11:56 AM, Nick Leseberg wrote: Hi John and others, The sump of my wife's little 2WD Astra will attest to the condition of Duck Creek Rd. In September I put a hole in it trying to get down there, and had to call up a tow truck from Canungra to come and get me. The tow truck wouldn't go down Duck Creek Rd, but luckily I was not far down the road when I hit trouble, so was able to get back to the main road for the truck to pick me up. It was 8:30am when I hit the rock, and 5pm by the time I got back down to Canungra in the tow truck - it turned into quite an expensive exercise. The tow truck driver said there was no way he would go down Duck Creek Rd to get anyone, and no other towing company would go down there either. Certainly if you got stuck in a rental car down there you would be on your own and the expenses could get quite nasty. To be fair though (and my wife was very unforgiving on this point) I missed the bump in the road which caused it because I was distracted by a Noisy Pitta flying across in front of me! As Chris pointed out, Red-browed Treecreeper is the main species you would go down there for, and it is also good for Buff-rumped Thornbill and White-naped Honeyeater. It would be a reasonable walk to get to the section where they are (about 2.5km I think), but if you have the time very achievable, and the road is good for birding anyway. I often stop to bird the first few hundred metres of Duck Creek Rd down to the first clearing on the left anyway. You can get all the same rainforest species you get at the top and it is less hectic, with rarely anyone else there. From the first clearing on the left the view is spectacular and I have picked up Little Eagle here a few times. Spotted Quail-Thrush has become increasingly difficult to find along Duck Creek Rd, and if this were a target species I would definitely have a back up plan. If you still want to look for it though you can also find it at Luke's Bluff. This road is between Duck Creek Rd and O'Reilly's and goes off in the same direction as Duck Creek Rd. It is marked private, but if you ask permission up at O'Reilly's I have never had any problems getting down there. It is also a good spot for Koala. Cheers and good birding! Nick Leseberg =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Birding Lamington N.P. From: brian fleming <flambeau AT labyrinth.net.au> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:01:54 +1100 Some years back, in very dry conditions, we went to an O'Reilly's Bird Week, including a 4WD trip down Duck Creek Road - my chief memory is of Glossy Black Cockatoos in some dry woodland with casuarinas. Always the possibility that you might find some other birders there at the same time who might also be interested. But last year's appalling floods and this year's very heavy rain will have severely damaged all tracks. Are you camping or staying at guest-house? If the latter you may find good bird-walks available. Ask them. Hope you see the Noisy Pitta. We missed it. We did get Albert Lyrebird and a Marbled Frogmouth, and more bowerbirds (Regent and Satin)than you could shake a stick at. Anthea Fleming On 1/02/2012 6:19 AM, johnhopkins77 AT btinternet.com wrote: > Hello all, > > I am a UK birder and will be birding Lamington N.P. in October of this year. I will be staying at O’Reilly’s ( of course!) and have been told that a 4wd is advisable for Duck Creek Road. The people at O’Reilly’s however , have said that the road is in very poor condition and may not even be passable at all during October. I see no point in going to the additional ( and substantial) extra expense of a 4wd if I can’t access the road at all. Does anyone know if the species particularly found there are accessible elsewhere around the lodge and , if so, can they be accessed by a 2wd vehicle? > If the reply is too boring for most list members, please reply off-list!! Many thanks. > > John. > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Birding Lamington NP - Duck Creek Rd From: Nick Leseberg <nick_leseberg AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:56:33 +0000 Hi John and others, The sump of my wife's little 2WD Astra will attest to the condition of Duck Creek Rd. In September I put a hole in it trying to get down there, and had to call up a tow truck from Canungra to come and get me. The tow truck wouldn't go down Duck Creek Rd, but luckily I was not far down the road when I hit trouble, so was able to get back to the main road for the truck to pick me up. It was 8:30am when I hit the rock, and 5pm by the time I got back down to Canungra in the tow truck - it turned into quite an expensive exercise. The tow truck driver said there was no way he would go down Duck Creek Rd to get anyone, and no other towing company would go down there either. Certainly if you got stuck in a rental car down there you would be on your own and the expenses could get quite nasty. To be fair though (and my wife was very unforgiving on this point) I missed the bump in the road which caused it because I was distracted by a Noisy Pitta flying across in front of me! As Chris pointed out, Red-browed Treecreeper is the main species you would go down there for, and it is also good for Buff-rumped Thornbill and White-naped Honeyeater. It would be a reasonable walk to get to the section where they are (about 2.5km I think), but if you have the time very achievable, and the road is good for birding anyway. I often stop to bird the first few hundred metres of Duck Creek Rd down to the first clearing on the left anyway. You can get all the same rainforest species you get at the top and it is less hectic, with rarely anyone else there. From the first clearing on the left the view is spectacular and I have picked up Little Eagle here a few times. Spotted Quail-Thrush has become increasingly difficult to find along Duck Creek Rd, and if this were a target species I would definitely have a back up plan. If you still want to look for it though you can also find it at Luke's Bluff. This road is between Duck Creek Rd and O'Reilly's and goes off in the same direction as Duck Creek Rd. It is marked private, but if you ask permission up at O'Reilly's I have never had any problems getting down there. It is also a good spot for Koala. Cheers and good birding! Nick Leseberg =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Roufous Night Heron dismembering Cane Toads. From: Del Richards <info AT finefeathertours.com.au> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:54:38 +1000 Over some years I have had a programme "Bird Talk Back" on ABC Far North in Cairns. Yesterday (31/01/2012) I fielded ten calls in thirty minutes. Early in the programme a caller from Walkamin (between Mareeba and Atherton) had found four dead cane toads with an small incision in their throat by her small backyard pond. I told her plainly that it was a good mystery thinking that it would be animal attack rather than bird predation. About three calls later a gent from Gordonvale south of Cairns assured us that he had watched White-tailed Rats and (surprise, surprise!) Northern Brown Bandicoots kill and eat the non-toxic underside parts of cane toads. Minutes later the mystery was solved when George who owned a piggery at Walkamin called in to tell us about Roufous Night Herons. He related that after an early evening storm one time he checked the piggery and that a night heron was moving through the pig pens and systematically flipping cane toads on their back and taking out their innards. Given the shape and dexterity of their pointed bill the night heron would be well able to extract the gut through a small incision. On my next programme I will endeavour to follow the thread on birds and cane toads in an effort to derive some more latent information that is held out there by everyday non-scientific observers. Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman, NQ. =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Now for something really scary From: "Chris Lloyd" <Pezoporus AT bigpond.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 11:31:40 +1100 Those of us still struggling with the self interest that is climate change skepticism may find the following sobering. http://www.news.uwa.edu.au/201201304303/climate-science/arctic-scientists-wa rn-dangerous-climate-change What the paper itself peripherally mentions is the effect these Arctic changes will have on migratory Scolopacids - it would be interesting to speculate what the disappearance of Godwits spp. for example will have on the estuarine food chains of the African, American and Australian coasts - these buggers munch through a lot of benthic vego inverts in the course of refueling for the trip north. Personally being of Celt peasant stock I only trust my betters like Lord Monckton on these subject areas. Chris Lloyd chris.lloyd AT wiyanga.com.au Logo v5 =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Birding Lamington N.P. From: Chris <chris.sanderson AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:53:15 +1100 Hi John and others, Duck Creek Rd is a nice little wet forest section adjacent to the rainforest. The only key species I am aware of that you can find there are Spotted Quail-thrush and Red-browed Tree-creeper. Eastern Bristlebird has not been seen in the area for many years. As far as I am aware, there are no other places close to O'reillys where these two species are "gettable". If you are not tied to the guesthouse for your whole trip, there are places north and south-west of Brisbane where you can find those two species. In terms of access, the road used to be doable by 2WD for the first section where the two species can be found. However if O'reillys staff say it is 4WD now you may not be able to access the areas by normal car now. You could potentially try to walk the road if you are fit, but it would be quite a walk if you can't drive at least some of the road. I would recommend talking to O'reillys staff again about whether you can drive a few km down the road and walk from there. Hope this helps. Regards, Chris Sent from my iPhone On 01/02/2012, at 8:58, "Carl Weber" wrote: > Yes, replies on-list please. Am going there in March and haven't heard of > Duck Creek Rd. > > Carl weber > -----Original Message----- > From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au > [mailto:birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of John Tongue > Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2012 8:42 AM > To: johnhopkins77 AT btinternet.com > Cc: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Birding Lamington N.P. > > Not boring to all!! Please reply ON list?? > > John Tongue > Ulverstone, Tas. > > > On 01/02/2012, at 6:19 AM, wrote: > >> Hello all, >> >> I am a UK birder and will be birding Lamington N.P. in October of this > year. I will be staying at O'Reilly's ( of course!) and have been told that > a 4wd is advisable for Duck Creek Road. The people at O'Reilly's however , > have said that the road is in very poor condition and may not even be > passable at all during October. I see no point in going to the additional ( > and substantial) extra expense of a 4wd if I can't access the road at all. > Does anyone know if the species particularly found there are accessible > elsewhere around the lodge and , if so, can they be accessed by a 2wd > vehicle? >> If the reply is too boring for most list members, please reply off-list!! > Many thanks. >> >> John. >> =============================== >> >> To unsubscribe from this mailing list, >> send the message: >> unsubscribe >> (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) >> to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au >> >> http://birding-aus.org >> =============================== > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re-introduction of ground-dwelling native birds From: Mark Stanley <markjstanley AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 06:03:50 +0800 Hi Tim, Westgate Park is pretty isolated and has a thriving population of both SBW and WBSW. They self introduced. There has been a big effort to plant native vegitation in the park by the Friends of WGP. Interestingly, the small St Vincent's Place Park in Albert Park, inspite of being planted mostly with exotic vegitation, has managed to build a population of both species - probably traveling down the light rail corridor from Albert Park proper. I've though that this may be the result of the birds becoming adapted to prededation by cats. City parks in Europe often hold much higher populations of small birds than the surrounding countryside. Regards Mark Stanley Hi all, I 'm wondering if anyone is aware of any instances i.e. if there is any precedent for the re-introduction of native bird species to isolated revegetated native urban parkland? In particularly I'm thinking about the reintroducing of ground-dwelling species such as Superb Fairy-wren and White-browed Scrubwren which, unlike arboreal species, are unable to migrate into revegetated parkland due to the lack of an existing native corridor - specifically when the revegetation process involves developing complex native shrubslands, perfect habitat for these species. Cheers, Tim Dolby =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Impact of climate change on pelagic birding From: Nikolas Haass <nhaass AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:02:03 -0800 (PST) Dear Birding-Aus, Not sure if everyone here knows the difference between a scientific article such as the one by Wu et al. in Nature Climate Change and someones personal blog. I am not a climatologist but I am a scientist, too. Manuscripts submitted to any journal of the Nature Publishing Group (NPG) and to their serious competitors (e.g. Science and many others) undergo a thorough peer-review - usually by experts in the field. The main journal of the group, Nature, has a rejection rate of more than 90%, which shows how hard it is to get an article published in such a journal. But yes, it happens once in a while that a story gets published and later turns out to be wrong. Then other serious scientists - not some dubious bloggers - have the chance to correct the error in a professional peer-reviewed paper. M. complains about the lack of "REAL data" and calls the Wu et al. paper "flawed". O.K., maybe or maybe not? Where are the "REAL data" then that prove the Wu et al. paper wrong, M.?Finally, M.'s lack of understanding of the topic climate change is documented by his comment regarding "tiny differences in ocean temperatures". Why am I writing this? In doubt, it makes more sense to incorporate a professionally published article into public knowledge than someone's un-peer-reviewed blog that reflects the opinion of the writer rather than real science! Cheers, Nikolas P.S. Maybe the webmaster should take this whole counterproductive debate off the web?   ---------------- Nikolas Haass nhaass AT yahoo.com Sydney, NSW ________________________________ From: Jeremy O'Wheel To: Laurie Knight Cc: Birding Aus Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 10:42 PM Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Impact of climate change on pelagic birding Anthony Watts has no climatology qualifications, and his blog is devoid of any meaningful science. He has continually been debunked by actual scientists and is only a source of misinformation.  Two degrees is a massive change for average temperatures.  It's important to remember that the average global temp during the last ice age was *only* five degrees lower than now, and most of Europe, North America, and Tasmania were covered in ice. Averages are not the same as single day temperatures. Jeremy O'Wheel On 31/01/2012 9:01 PM, "Laurie Knight" wrote: Why do you say that a 1.5 to 2C change over 100 years is tiny, Martin?  I would have thought a temperature change of that magnitude is quite significant. Anyhow, the article in question is available at http://www.nature.com/** nclimate/journal/vaop/**ncurrent/full/nclimate1353.**html The abstract is as follows: "Enhanced warming over the global subtropical western boundary currents       • Lixin Wu,    • Wenju Cai,    • Liping Zhang,        • Hisashi Nakamura,    • Axel Timmermann,      • Terry Joyce,• Michael J. McPhaden,   • Michael Alexander,    • Bo Qiu,      • Martin Visbeck,      • Ping Chang    • & Benjamin Giese Nature Climate Change (2012) doi:10.1038/**nclimate1353Received 06 May 2011 Accepted 30 November 2011 Published online 29 January 2012 Subtropical western boundary currents are warm, fast-flowing currents that form on the western side of ocean basins. They carry warm tropical water to the mid-latitudes and vent large amounts of heat and moisture to the atmosphere along their paths, affecting atmospheric jet streams and mid-latitude storms, as well as ocean carbon uptake1, 2, 3, 4. The possibility that these highly energetic currents might change under greenhouse-gas forcing has raised significant concerns5, 6, 7, but detecting such changes is challenging owing to limited observations. Here, using reconstructed sea surface temperature datasets and century-long ocean and atmosphere reanalysis products, we find that the post-1900 surface ocean warming rate over the path of these currents is two to three times faster than the global mean surface ocean warming rate. The accelerated warming is associated with a synchronous poleward shift and/or intensification of global subtropical western boundary currents in conjunction with a systematic change in winds over both hemispheres. This enhanced warming may reduce the ability of the oceans to absorb anthropogenic carbon dioxide over these regions. However, uncertainties in detection and attribution of these warming trends remain, pointing to a need for a long-term monitoring network of the global western boundary currents and their extensions." The point remains that a lot of pelagic birding occurs along the East Australian Current and a 2C warming may have a significant impact on marine activity off SE Australia. Regards, Laurie. On 31/01/2012, at 8:52 PM, Martin Wigginton wrote: > Yes, I agree with Laurie that we should welcome any study that seeks to > obtain REAL data.  With such tiny differences in ocean temperatures, it > might be difficult to detect impacts on bird distributions. Nevertheless, > real data is the stuff that counts. > > But flawed studies such as Wenju Cai's ocean 'hot-spots' give the game > away when they state: > > “Detecting these changes has been hindered by limited observations but > with a combination of multi-national ocean watch systems and computer > simulations we have been able to reconstruct an ocean history…” > > We should view with considerable scepticism studies such as these which > rely so heavily on computer modelling to reach what is clearly a > pre-determined conclusion. > > See also http://wattsupwiththat.com/**2012/01/30/oh-noes-wind-** > driven-global-warming-hot-**spots/ > > ------------ > Martin > *All outgoing mails scanned by Norton Anti-Virus 2011 > > > -----Original Message----- From: Laurie Knight > Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 7:58 AM > To: Birding Aus > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Impact of climate change on pelagic birding > > > > > > There are some interesting articles reporting rapidly rising > > temperatures in key ocean curren... > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscri... =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Birding Lamington N.P. From: "Carl Weber" <carl.weber AT optusnet.com.au> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 08:58:50 +1100 Yes, replies on-list please. Am going there in March and haven't heard of Duck Creek Rd. Carl weber -----Original Message----- From: birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au [mailto:birding-aus-bounces AT lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of John Tongue Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2012 8:42 AM To: johnhopkins77 AT btinternet.com Cc: birding-aus AT lists.vicnet.net.au Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Birding Lamington N.P. Not boring to all!! Please reply ON list?? John Tongue Ulverstone, Tas. On 01/02/2012, at 6:19 AM, wrote: > Hello all, > > I am a UK birder and will be birding Lamington N.P. in October of this year. I will be staying at O'Reilly's ( of course!) and have been told that a 4wd is advisable for Duck Creek Road. The people at O'Reilly's however , have said that the road is in very poor condition and may not even be passable at all during October. I see no point in going to the additional ( and substantial) extra expense of a 4wd if I can't access the road at all. Does anyone know if the species particularly found there are accessible elsewhere around the lodge and , if so, can they be accessed by a 2wd vehicle? > If the reply is too boring for most list members, please reply off-list!! Many thanks. > > John. > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Birding Lamington N.P. From: John Tongue <jspk AT iprimus.com.au> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 08:42:19 +1100 Not boring to all!! Please reply ON list?? John Tongue Ulverstone, Tas. On 01/02/2012, at 6:19 AM, wrote: > Hello all, > > I am a UK birder and will be birding Lamington N.P. in October of this year. I will be staying at O�Reilly�s ( of course!) and have been told that a 4wd is advisable for Duck Creek Road. The people at O�Reilly�s however , have said that the road is in very poor condition and may not even be passable at all during October. I see no point in going to the additional ( and substantial) extra expense of a 4wd if I can�t access the road at all. Does anyone know if the species particularly found there are accessible elsewhere around the lodge and , if so, can they be accessed by a 2wd vehicle? > If the reply is too boring for most list members, please reply off-list!! Many thanks. > > John. > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Impact of climate change on pelagic birding From: John Leonard <calyptorhynchus AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 07:51:25 +1100 Martin I don't think you can raise the question of scientific rigour and then refer to the web-site you do. John Leonard On 31 January 2012 21:52, Martin Wigginton wrote: > > Yes, I agree with Laurie that we should welcome any study that seeks to > obtain REAL data. With such tiny differences in ocean temperatures, it > might be difficult to detect impacts on bird distributions. Nevertheless, > real data is the stuff that counts. > > But flawed studies such as Wenju Cai's ocean 'hot-spots' give the game > away when they state: > > �Detecting these changes has been hindered by limited observations but > with a combination of multi-national ocean watch systems and computer > simulations we have been able to reconstruct an ocean history�� > > We should view with considerable scepticism studies such as these which > rely so heavily on computer modelling to reach what is clearly a > pre-determined conclusion. > > See also http://wattsupwiththat.com/**2012/01/30/oh-noes-wind-** > driven-global-warming-hot-**spots/ > > ------------ > Martin > *All outgoing mails scanned by Norton Anti-Virus 2011 > > > -----Original Message----- From: Laurie Knight > Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 7:58 AM > To: Birding Aus > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Impact of climate change on pelagic birding > > There are some interesting articles reporting rapidly rising > temperatures in key ocean currents - scientists compared "five ocean > currents that run along the east coasts of Africa, Japan, the USA, > Brazil and Australia" and "that over the past century the water in the > currents has warmed two to three times faster than the rest of the > world's oceans." s3418386.htm > >> >> > These temperature changes will affect the distribution of marine life > and I suspect are likely to impinge on the distributions of pelagic > bird species. It would be an interesting exercise to overlay species > sightings with sea temperatures and to see how bird distributions > change over time. > > Perhaps a thesis topic for someone ... > > Regards, Laurie. > ==============================**= > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.**net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > ==============================**= > > ==============================**= > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.**net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > ==============================**= -- John Leonard Canberra Australia www.jleonard.net I want to be with the 9,999 other things. =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Birding Lamington N.P. From: <johnhopkins77 AT btinternet.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:19:04 -0000 Hello all, I am a UK birder and will be birding Lamington N.P. in October of this year. I will be staying at O’Reilly’s ( of course!) and have been told that a 4wd is advisable for Duck Creek Road. The people at O’Reilly’s however , have said that the road is in very poor condition and may not even be passable at all during October. I see no point in going to the additional ( and substantial) extra expense of a 4wd if I can’t access the road at all. Does anyone know if the species particularly found there are accessible elsewhere around the lodge and , if so, can they be accessed by a 2wd vehicle? If the reply is too boring for most list members, please reply off-list!! Many thanks. John. =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Impact of climate change on pelagic birding From: "Jeremy O'Wheel" <owheelj AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:42:44 +1100 Anthony Watts has no climatology qualifications, and his blog is devoid of any meaningful science. He has continually been debunked by actual scientists and is only a source of misinformation. Two degrees is a massive change for average temperatures. It's important to remember that the average global temp during the last ice age was *only* five degrees lower than now, and most of Europe, North America, and Tasmania were covered in ice. Averages are not the same as single day temperatures. Jeremy O'Wheel On 31/01/2012 9:01 PM, "Laurie Knight" wrote: Why do you say that a 1.5 to 2C change over 100 years is tiny, Martin? I would have thought a temperature change of that magnitude is quite significant. Anyhow, the article in question is available at http://www.nature.com/** nclimate/journal/vaop/**ncurrent/full/nclimate1353.**html The abstract is as follows: "Enhanced warming over the global subtropical western boundary currents � Lixin Wu, � Wenju Cai, � Liping Zhang, � Hisashi Nakamura, � Axel Timmermann, � Terry Joyce,� Michael J. McPhaden, � Michael Alexander, � Bo Qiu, � Martin Visbeck, � Ping Chang � & Benjamin Giese Nature Climate Change (2012) doi:10.1038/**nclimate1353Received 06 May 2011 Accepted 30 November 2011 Published online 29 January 2012 Subtropical western boundary currents are warm, fast-flowing currents that form on the western side of ocean basins. They carry warm tropical water to the mid-latitudes and vent large amounts of heat and moisture to the atmosphere along their paths, affecting atmospheric jet streams and mid-latitude storms, as well as ocean carbon uptake1, 2, 3, 4. The possibility that these highly energetic currents might change under greenhouse-gas forcing has raised significant concerns5, 6, 7, but detecting such changes is challenging owing to limited observations. Here, using reconstructed sea surface temperature datasets and century-long ocean and atmosphere reanalysis products, we find that the post-1900 surface ocean warming rate over the path of these currents is two to three times faster than the global mean surface ocean warming rate. The accelerated warming is associated with a synchronous poleward shift and/or intensification of global subtropical western boundary currents in conjunction with a systematic change in winds over both hemispheres. This enhanced warming may reduce the ability of the oceans to absorb anthropogenic carbon dioxide over these regions. However, uncertainties in detection and attribution of these warming trends remain, pointing to a need for a long-term monitoring network of the global western boundary currents and their extensions." The point remains that a lot of pelagic birding occurs along the East Australian Current and a 2C warming may have a significant impact on marine activity off SE Australia. Regards, Laurie. On 31/01/2012, at 8:52 PM, Martin Wigginton wrote: > Yes, I agree with Laurie that we should welcome any study that seeks to > obtain REAL data. With such tiny differences in ocean temperatures, it > might be difficult to detect impacts on bird distributions. Nevertheless, > real data is the stuff that counts. > > But flawed studies such as Wenju Cai's ocean 'hot-spots' give the game > away when they state: > > �Detecting these changes has been hindered by limited observations but > with a combination of multi-national ocean watch systems and computer > simulations we have been able to reconstruct an ocean history�� > > We should view with considerable scepticism studies such as these which > rely so heavily on computer modelling to reach what is clearly a > pre-determined conclusion. > > See also http://wattsupwiththat.com/**2012/01/30/oh-noes-wind-** > driven-global-warming-hot-**spots/ > > ------------ > Martin > *All outgoing mails scanned by Norton Anti-Virus 2011 > > > -----Original Message----- From: Laurie Knight > Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 7:58 AM > To: Birding Aus > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Impact of climate change on pelagic birding > > > > > > There are some interesting articles reporting rapidly rising > > temperatures in key ocean curren... > =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscri... =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Re: Impact of climate change on pelagic birding From: "Martin Wigginton" <M.J.Wigginton AT btinternet.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:52:56 -0000 Yes, I agree with Laurie that we should welcome any study that seeks to obtain REAL data. With such tiny differences in ocean temperatures, it might be difficult to detect impacts on bird distributions. Nevertheless, real data is the stuff that counts. But flawed studies such as Wenju Cai's ocean 'hot-spots' give the game away when they state: “Detecting these changes has been hindered by limited observations but with a combination of multi-national ocean watch systems and computer simulations we have been able to reconstruct an ocean history…” We should view with considerable scepticism studies such as these which rely so heavily on computer modelling to reach what is clearly a pre-determined conclusion. See also http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/01/30/oh-noes-wind-driven-global-warming-hot-spots/ ------------ Martin *All outgoing mails scanned by Norton Anti-Virus 2011 -----Original Message----- From: Laurie Knight Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 7:58 AM To: Birding Aus Subject: [Birding-Aus] Impact of climate change on pelagic birding There are some interesting articles reporting rapidly rising temperatures in key ocean currents - scientists compared "five ocean currents that run along the east coasts of Africa, Japan, the USA, Brazil and Australia" and "that over the past century the water in the currents has warmed two to three times faster than the rest of the world's oceans." These temperature changes will affect the distribution of marine life and I suspect are likely to impinge on the distributions of pelagic bird species. It would be an interesting exercise to overlay species sightings with sea temperatures and to see how bird distributions change over time. Perhaps a thesis topic for someone ... Regards, Laurie. =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org =============================== Subject: Leg-flagged Curlew Sandpiper - follow-up From: "Richard Nowotny" <richard.nowotny AT bigpond.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:04:19 +1100 Thanks to those who have responded. Shortly after sending my request I thought to try the magic of Google (should have thought of it sooner of course). Up came the following: "Asia-Pacific Shorebird Network - Leg flags used on local flyways" And there it was - black above white = "Chongmin-Dao". Where? A: Chongmin-Dao [= Chongming Island, China] Now, utilizing Wikipedia: There are several islands of Shanghai governed by Shanghai city, including the three larger inhabited islands and a number of uninhabited ones. They are alluvial islands in the Yangtze River Delta in China. Chongming Island lies against the northern shore of the Yangtze River and is an alluvial island formed by silt carried along the river. It gives the name to Chongming County, the only county of Shanghai. It is the third largest island in China after Hainan Island and Taiwan. I have now reported the sighting to mintons AT ozemail.com.au as requested on the website. Richard =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request AT vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org ===============================