By now I am sure that everyone has heard the wonderful news – that Banded Stilt have had an extremely successful breeding event at Lake Torrens with Alex Clarke, DENR Port Augusta, advising that over 200,000 chicks were produced. In a visit to Lake Torrens on 8th July he reported seeing thousands of juvenile stilts spread across the lake – either fully fledged or just about too. Very few adult stilts were present. And that brings me to the challenge of the moment – WHERE ARE THEY!!!!!
As Lake Torrens and Lake Eyre dry up, and the inland feeding grounds disappear, it will be interesting to map the dispersal of this huge breeding flock, and their offspring, as they return to non-breeding sites. Observers are asked to carefully check flocks for immature birds – recognizable by their grey lores, pale edges to the wing coverts (less obvious) and greyish legs. Do not be surprised to see flocks with a high proportion of juveniles – in September 2000 Tony Russell reported on Birding Aus that a flock of ‘hundreds and hundreds (maybe thousands)’ of Banded Stilt at Penrice Saltfields only had approx. 30% adults. News of flagged birds is especially sought – with observers being asked to make careful note of the configuration of any flags seen.
After the breeding event at Lake Eyre in 2000 Chris Baxter – with the help of Birding Aus members – recorded sightings from as far afield as Alice Springs, Woorinen Vic, Lake George SA, the Coorong and Tasmania. Where will they go this time?
So, once again, Birding-Aus members are asked to contribute their observations.
Maureen Christie
(not sure which hat I am wearing on this – Australasian Wader Studies Group member, Victorian Wader Studies Group member or Friends of Shorebirds SE member, but whatever the hat, your observations will be most appreciated!)
*************************************** Ian Mitchener & Maureen Christie Carpenter Rocks, 5291 08 87380014 Mobile 0427 380014 twinpeppers@icisp.net.au ============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au
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