Freckled Duck

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dwatsonbb
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Freckled Duck

Heard reports of Freckled Duck sightings at a couple of local waterways (around 70klm from home). They are not supposed to be in Tasmania, but I think my ID, and that of others more expert than I confirm they are here. eBird has them listed as "Rare" for Tassie, and specifically asks for additional information about ID sources. Anyway, Goulds Lagoon Reserve, Austins ferry -  north of Hobart. Suspect they have moved south in search of habitat? There were maybe 20-30 (hard to ID when along way out with plenty of other ducks around).

Freckled Duck by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Freckled Duck by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Freckled Ducks by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Woko
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They certainly look like Freckled Duck to me, Dale. There was a small number (I think about 4) at the Laratinga Wetlands in Mt Barker SA a couple of years ago. But the most exciting observation for me was a solitary Freckled Duck on our neighbour’s dam which was most unusual I would have thought. Anyway, it’s great that a species which a few years ago was deemed on the verge of extinction is still kicking on. 

dwatsonbb
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Thanks Woko. Glad to see your work over many years might be paying off.

For anyone interested I found an app (Merlin Bird ID), which enables you to upload a photo, and within seconds it gives you a list of possible suspects. It will ask you to zoom in or crop the photo, provide a location and the date. You can use a map to get an accurate location by dropping a pin. This app worked for these birds (only 1 suspect found), and confirmed Freckled Duck! I will also be using eBird for recording my sightings (operated by Cornell University), which where the app link was located. You can also see listings from others in your area. Unfortunately at this stage the Merlin Bird ID only covers Eastern and Southern Australia. eBird can be used almost any where in the world. This data can be used to help preserve and protect threatened species and habitat. Again mostly international areas, but they seem to be expanding into Australia.

https://ebird.org/home

Available for iPhone and Android, but not for PC or Mac computers yet. This is a US based mob.

Search the app stores for eBird (has website as well as the app) and Merlin Bird ID (app only). You can provide your location in eBird, narrowing down some of your search fields considerably. It does require you to download some "packages", these will provide information specific to the area you choose. They are all free (obviously you will use data from your plan at your expense), and they do provide links to other items which you need to buy.

Have a look it might be useful to some members, but please don't stop posting your photos(either in Identificstions or elswhere on BIBY).

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

sue818
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Nice one. We had a pair turn up at Warriewood in Sydney a while ago... great excitement.

I use eBird & have Merlin app but have not yet tried it. My thought was to use it for overseas birds where I have no idea of the ID. Good to hear it works so well.

sue

Alex Rogers
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Good sighting! I haven't seen them myself, but am always looking...

dwatsonbb
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Thanks guys. I think they have some character. A bit skittish. A real treat to find a species I haven’t seen before.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

sue818
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Lifers become harder to find as time goes on so now I aim for a better picture of a known one. 

Tried the Merlin app on a number of bird photos & it was very good except for Lord Howe. It appears a number are still on the Target species list i.e. more photos required in the Macauley library. I think 50 is the aim & some fall short. 

dwatsonbb
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I guess Lord Howe is not a place a lot of people visit, yet alone people who submit bird photos to the McCauley Library. I hadn’t heard of it until I joined eBird. I have 2 lists, one of birds sighted, and one of birds I have a photo which can confirm the ID. Always looking to improve the quality of the photo, and I have a long way to go. Hoping to do an Adult Ed Course later this year, not specifically wildlife, but hopefully I will understand my camera better.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Alex Rogers
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I'm still at the stage of my birding that I'm adding lifers regularly - very exciting :-) But I've also got a sub-list of birds I've photographed (at somethign more than just ID quality) whcih is proving a LOT harder to add to ....

I'm coming down to Bruny at Xmas Dale, hoping to add some locals to both list then. 

dwatsonbb
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If your coming to Bruny Island, have a look at Inala (a privately owned reserve), they have a website, and offer some tours etc. some of them are a bit pricey, but you have a great chance of seeing many of Tasmania’s 12 endemic species. Also have a look at eBird, you can search for birding hotspots. I guess it depends on how much time you have and what your other interests are (my family wouldn’t enjoy a holiday, if all I wanted to do was take photos of birds).

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Alex Rogers
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Thanks Dale - yes, I've asked Inala to book a guided day for me on Boxing Day - should be fun :-) Yes, I have to balance birding with other pursuits, lots to do & see in Tassie that we can all enjoy (have to say the binoculars at least go everywhere...) 

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