This morning, Tues 16 Aug 2011, I found a single Wandering Tattler at Caloundra Head, Caloundra SE Qld.
This is probably an overwintering individual as it is much too early for a returning Wandering Tattler to arrive in south east Queensland. Normally this species arrives in that area around the end of September or early November. The traces of breeding plumage on this bird could indicate it is a non-breeding immature which overwintered in Australia, but not necessarily SE Queensland or an adult which didn’t make the trip in May this year to Alaska to breed. It is not a juvenile.
Caloundra Head is sometimes called Wickham Head and is shown on the Sunshine Coast Map 100 in the Brisbane UBD Refidex at R16. Today the tattler was right on the point of Caloundra Head but it could be anywhere on the rocky headland from King’s Beach to Shelly Beach. Please be aware that this bird is somewhat ‘nervous’ so try not to put it to flight unnecessarily; leave that task to the inconsiderate dog owners who insist on ignoring the council by-laws (and the signs) by not keeping their dogs on leads. Photographers who have the time to be patient and are prepared to approach the bird slowly and carefully will still need a lens of at least 400 mm focal length for anything more than ‘record’ shots; today I spent over two hours photographing the bird with 700 mm of lens (approx 1100 mm on an APSC crop camera) and was able to gradually get to within 12 metres for shots where the bird still only half filled the frame. It also helped that I was alone and have had considerable experience photographing this species.
Take care while traversing the headland as the rocks can be slippery when wet and some rocks can be loose even if they look large and secure. Keep a lookout for the dark morph Eastern Reef Egret with one foot, the Striated Heron and the Sooty Oystercatchers. Currently there is a very good chance of also seeing Australasian Gannets coursing up and down the length of the headland.
Bob Inglis Sandstone Point Qld ===============================
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