How to be a Birder part 7
Hint # 7 Write down what you see
Don’t trust your memory. It is very important to write down in a notebook what you have seen. For most birders this is merely a list of the different species seen. In addition to that, I also record the date, the place I saw the bird, the time and the latitude and longitude coordinates (more on that in another posting: Hint #15).
If you have seen something unusual, say a bird you’ve never seen before, a rare bird or a bird way out of its normal range, it is very important to take detailed notes of your observation, including a sketch if necessary. This will help authenticate your sighting if anyone questions it, especially if reported to a bird organisation as a rarity.
When I was recording sightings for the Atlas of Australian birds I submitted several entries that were later questioned. The bird I recorded was out of its range and I didn’t realise it at the time and I took no notes. I was therefore unable to prove my sightings and they were rejected. You may consider this a burden or unnecessary. That’s fine if you want your hobby to be casual and relaxing. Just hope that you never see a really rare bird, say like the first ever occurrence of a species in your country!
For more hints on how to be a birder click here.ÂÂ
Silver Gull
Crested Pigeons in the park
No Comments »8th August, 2006; Category: Pigeons and Doves
Crested Pigeons
Crested Pigeons are a common sight on the farmlands throughout rural regions of Australia. In more recent decades they have become a common sight in the parks and gardens and playing fields throughout metropolitan areas of this land. This recent photo was taken at one of my favourite birding spots, the picnic grounds at Lake Inchiquin in Clare in the mid-north of South Australia.
For more postings about pigeons click here.
How to be a Birder part 6
Hint # 6 Observe the General Appearance of the Bird
Look at the general appearance of a bird. On seeing a bird the observer usually tries to identify it immediately. As you become more experienced you will notice certain features of the bird that help to narrow down the possibilities. This is before you consult a field guide.
Ask yourself some key questions.
- What is its size? Is it small like a sparrow, about the size of a magpie or large like a pelican? Your response to this question will narrow down the possibilities considerably.
- What is its body shape? Does it have the general shape of a duck, an eagle or a crow? Is it thin and sleek like a honeyeater, or fat and dumpy like a dove or pigeon? Does it have a straight beak, or is it curved.
- What is its main colour? Is it all black, all white, black and white, mainly yellow, does it have blue on the wings? This question narrows down the possibilities even further.
- What is it doing? Is it feeding on the ground? Is it on the water? Is it feeding from a flower? Is it high in the canopy of a tree? Is it looking for insects and spiders under the bark of trees? All these questions help to narrow the field even further.
- How does it fly? Does it fly quickly and directly like a pigeon? Does it hover on the air or glide on air currents like kites and eagles? Is it restless and always on the move like a flycatcher?
- What is its call like? Is it soft and cooing like a dove, or harsh and noisy like a parrot? Is its call song-like and repeated often or is it mostly silent?
For more hints on how to be a birder click here.
Australian Pelicans, Rocky Gully Wetlands
Favourite Birding Spot #4 Lake Inchiquin, Clare part 2
Lake Inchiquin, Clare
Yesterday I wrote about the water birds of one of my favourite birding spots, Inchiquin Lake in Clare in the mid-north of South Australia. This is but two minutes walk from my daughter’s home and five minutes walk from where we used to live in the early 1980s.
Today I want to write about the other birds I have seen in this wonderful spot. Along the path, in the trees and the nearby picnic area I have often seen the following species:
- Crested Pigeon (common)
- Bronzewing Pigeon (uncommon)
- Peaceful Dove (occasional)
- Rock Dove (common)
- Spotted Turtledove (common)
- Galah (very common)
- Rainbow Lorikeet (common)
- Musk Lorikeet (very common)
- Red Rumped Parrot (common)
- Adelaide Rosella (common)
- Tawny Frogmouth (recorded once)
- Southern Boobook Owl (often heard at night)
- Welcome Swallow (very common)
- Laughing Kookaburra (common)
- Yellow Rumped Thornbill (common)
- Red Wattlebird (common)
- Noisy Miner (common)
- White Plumed Honeyeater (common)
- New Holland Honeyeater (common)
- Willie Wagtail (common)
- Black Faced Cuckoo Shrike (occasional)
- Common Blackbird (common)
- Magpie Lark (common)
- Australian Magpie (common)
- Little Raven (common)
- Common Starling (common)
- House Sparrow (common)
I have only listed species that I have seen on a regular basis, or species of special note. In all I have seen nearly a hundred different species over the years. It is a delightful spot to visit with an easy walking path, seats overlooking the lake and picnic tables nearby.
Favourite Birding Spot #4 Lake Inchiquin, Clare
Lake Inchiquin, Clare
Lake Inchiquin is an artificial lake in Clare in the mid-north district of South Australia. The lake borders the southern and western parts of the Clare Country Club and its golf club. The lake is essentially an artificial one, more of a large dam to give the country club a beautiful outlook. The southern edge of the lake incorporates a picnic area, complete with a model train track several kilometres in length. This track is used by enthusiasts two weekends a month.
Convenient Birding
I enjoy birding at Lake Inchiquin because it is so convenient. It is a two minute walk from my daughter’s home in Clare. Not only that, there is a good walking path along the water’s edge. The path has many trees and bushes planted on each side making the path an elongated natural bird hide. There are enough gaps in the vegetation to get good views of any birds on the lake or along the edges. Another reason for enjoying this spot is the variety of water birds present all year round. Some species I have trouble tracking down in other parts of the state.
Waterbirds
Ducks are very well represented on the lake. I have recorded the following species:
- Pacific Black Duck (very common)
- Pink-Eared Duck (present in small numbers)
- Grey Teal (common)
- Blue-Billed Duck (common)
- Freckled Duck (rare)
- Australasian Shoveler (present in small numbers)
- Australian Wood Duck (very common)
- Hardhead (White-Eyed Duck) (present in small numbers)
- Mallard (introduced)
Other water birds include:
- Hoary Headed Grebe (common)
- Australasian Grebe (common)
- Eurasian Coot (very numerous)
- Black-tailed Native-hen (sometimes numerous)
- Dusky Moorhen (common)
- Black-fronted Dotterel (usually 2-4 present)
- Black Swan (occasional)
- Little Black Cormorant (common)
- Little Pied Cormorant (common)
- Masked Lapwing (common)
- White-faced Heron (several)
- Nankeen Night Heron (3 recorded on one occasion)
Along the path and in the nearby golf course and picnic grounds I have recorded many more species. I will write about that tomorrow.