Month: March 2014

osprey

Here in N. Norway the Osprey is, interestingly enough, very much an inland bird, nesting near freshwater lakes and rarely, in the summer season, seen near the coast. In Winter, when they migrate South, the situation is probably different, and in my youth I have seen Winter-Ospreys in SW Netherlands (Zeeland) where I grew up, and where there was hardly any realay fresh water at all, on the coast. Wim Vader, Tromsø, Norway _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

Emerald Ground Doves – Chalcophaps indica vs longirostris

G’day I am in the process of aligning my bird list with the current IOC list and in trying to sort out the Common vs Pacific Emerald Dove distinction. Can anyone point me in the direction of useful references which enable people to distinguish between the two? Regards, Laurie. _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

Western Treatment Plant Rails

Managed a short visit to WTP this evening on the way home from work. It may be my last chance before the end of Summer Time, so I thought I should make the most of it. Highlights: Buff-banded Rail just after Beach Rd gate – it stood in the track for about half a minute. My camera was in the boot. Another birder I passed along the road between Paradise Rd and the hide said he’d seen Lewin’s and Buff-banded Rails from the road, and gave directions. I stopped about 100m before the hide turnoff, and scoped across the Little River. A Buff-banded appeared on cue, and a few minutes later I had a couple of extended views of a Lewin’s Rail through the scope. This seems to be a good spot for them – along the muddy banks with good cover; as well as the track into the hide. There were a few hundred Red-necked Stints around the rocks just north-east of the Beach Road boat ramp. No other migratory waders recorded. Hundreds, probably thousands of Pink-eared Duck, and all the other regulars in good numbers (didn’t see Freckled). Several Great Egrets, and Great Crested Grebe in a couple of ponds. Few birds of prey in the farm itself – is was getting late, after all – but one 100m stretch of Beach Road on the way in yielded Aust Hobby, Spotted Harrier, Black-shouldered Kite, Black Kite and Brown Falcon. This has to be one of the most enjoyable birding spots I’ve ever experienced. We are very lucky to have it! Russell Woodford Geelong And thanks to the birder in the white car who put me on to the rails! _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

Strange Sharpie at WTP Werribee, Vic

Hi all, Yesterday (30/3) we went to the WTP at Werribee for a final look at the waders before the last of them fly off to their breeding grounds in Siberia. As we thought, most of them had gone but we did come across one very odd looking Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. The bird had all the feathers on its neck raised in a huge ruff and the neck was extended well over twice its normal length. A friend suggested that the appearance was that one sharpie had flown up the backside of another. I have put some images on my blog for anyone who is interested. Our first thought was that the bird was sick, then it was suggested that it was actually a Ruff going into breeding plumage (personally I was plugging for a new species; Spry’s Sandpiper (SMILE)). The “Ruff” idea gained credence because a Reeve was on the pond and someone said a Ruff had been seen earlier in the year. Back at home I sent the images off to some local experts and they even sent the photos off to Russia for an opinion – isn’t email wonderful. The unanimous consensus is that the bird is definitely a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper that is not well. The reply from Russia suggested that it looked similar to a bird displaying; “Its appearance does look as a male posture during a territorial display on breeding grounds (a bird occasionally takes such or very similar posture while standing on a hummock on its breeding territory).” He added that he also thought the bird looked unwell. Re-enforcing the probability that the bird is not well is that the bird was “locked” in the pose for the whole time we watched it, probably over half an hour. It snoozed, looked around and walked in this “display posture”. Eventually it and the 6 or 7 other Sharpies with it flew off but sadly we were all looking the wrong way so I do not know it relaxed to normal before flying or not. If you are down at WTP over the next few days it is well worth looking for. It was on pond 5 at the “T” section at high tide. cheers Jenny http://jenniferspryausbirding.blogspot.com.au/ _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

Birding Trip Report – Sri Lanka

Hi All, I have written up a report for a birding trip to Sri Lanka which I did last month. The report can be found on http://www.bruce-wedderburn.blogspot.com.au/ Sri Lanka seems to be a popular destination for Australians and we met up with some New Zealander’s during our trip as well. Regards, Bruce Wedderburn www.bruce-wedderburn.blogspot.com _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

Ospreys

It has always puzzled me that whereas in other parts of the world, especially the northern hemisphere, it is quite common to see ospreys inland but not, usually, in Australia. White-bellied Sea Eagles yes, but Ospreys are usually coastal David Robertson _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

Some of Queensland’s birds under threat

I have just completed an article on the destructive anti-environmental conduct of the present Queensland Government since it came to power two years ago. This government must surely qualify for the most environmentally destructive government Australia has ever seen. Birds such as the remaining Red Goshawk population, the Eungella Honeyeater and others are under threat. The article is not only long – only because the government has chalked up a long list of anti-environmental misdemeanors in its two years in power – but it makes pretty horrifying reading and will shock most people interested in preserving our environment and wildlife. The link is – http://birdingaustralia.com.au/Queensland_Government_and_the_Environment-4-3-14.pdf Lloyd Nielsen, Mt Molloy, Nth Qld _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org

Ted Wnorowski, please

Hi all, could someone please facilitate the contact to Ted Wnorowski? That will be much appreciated. Cheers, Jonny Jonny Schoenjahn Perth WA T: (08) 9385 9939 E: jonnybird@bigpond.com http://www.jonnybird-australia.com/greyfalcon.htm _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org