Australian Reed Warblers: Do they ever leave the area?

aka DDDs (Departure Date Determinations). When migrants return, we delight in claiming the "First for the season". So why is it that we don't place equal emphasis on claiming the "Last for the season"? Well we all know why. It's too darn hard. Unless we religiously keep a diary of our sightings and then compare notes in the off-season to determine whose was the last sighting, how would we do it? Well now I think I know: provide another avenue for some one-up-manship on a public forum! If you've bettered the last date, please set the record straight ...

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Mick Atzeni
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Australian Reed Warblers: Do they ever leave the area?

Post by Mick Atzeni »

These are the stats from TBO'S monthly records for 1975-2000, thanks to Pat McConnell, our trusty Records Officer.

Each monthly value is the % of years the bird was recorded in that month. The data suggest reed warblers could be found all year round in the Toowoomba area. Whether some leave over autumn/winter is up for debate.

Perhaps in some years they all depart and others they don't. It would therefore be interesting to find out the % of years there were no autumn records. Likewise, for winter records, and autumn-winter combined.

The records certainly do reflect the fact they are far more obvious during the breeding season (Sep-Dec), when the birds are often reported on the basis of call alone.

J 76%
F 64%
M 60%
A 32%
M 32%
J 24%
J 40%
A 68%
S 84%
O 88%
N 88%
D 72%
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