Real researchers spend a month in the field and the rest of the year analyzing their data and preparing their papers. We had only three days at TNC headquarters to massage information that took three weeks to collect. Luckily we don’t have to prepare a proper scientific paper but we are still trying to combine our observations with those of two other birders plus Erik’s own sightings. We also have five birding books to reference and photos to examine before we can develop a format for the final report. Just like college. I guess it will have to wait until we return to Colorado.
Bas van Balen, a transplant from Holland and an expert on the birds of Indonesia, was kind enough to go through our list. Bas was cited in several of our reference books and is currently updating the guide to the birds of Indonesia. He confirmed that most of the sightings by the TNC guys that we were skeptical of were, in fact, unlikely to be found in Wehea. So even with all our final count will now be around 150 species.
