What is the fastest seabird species in level flight?

The Spirit of Tasmania averages 27 knots (or around 50 km/hr) on its Bass Strait crossings. This is a fair bit faster than the tubs that take birders out on pelagic trips. While travelling on the ferry last month, I was fascinated to see how effortlessly the seabirds (albatross, shearwaters, prions) kept up with the . . . → Read More: What is the fastest seabird species in level flight?

RFI Red-necked Phalarope near Werribee

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone is aware of a recent sighting of the RN Phalarope that was reported a few weeks ago around Kirk Point

I’m thinking about heading across from Adelaide to attempt to twitch the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and thought the Phalarope might be a good Plan B if the Sandpiper is a . . . → Read More: RFI Red-necked Phalarope near Werribee

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Lake Merdaduke, Vic

In case anyone wants to try for it over the weekend, there are a couple of Vic Birdline entries for this bird for yesterday and today. Loads of discussions going on on Facebook, seem to be mostly in the Australian Twitchers group.

Found, I believe by Danny Rogers.

www.eremaea.com/BirdlineRecentSightings.aspx?Birdline=1

Sent from my iPad

Birding-Aus mailing . . . → Read More: Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Lake Merdaduke, Vic

Willy Fantails

Surely it is more sensible to change anachronistic and confusing common names even if it upsets our possessive addiction to those names in common use.

I know several people who still insist on calling the Australian Black-necked Stork a Jabiru. The up-coming generation of birders will not thank us oldies who refuse to adopt sensible . . . → Read More: Willy Fantails