G’day all… This evening at home I was surprised to see 2 separate “sorties” of White-throated Nightjars flying low over my residence in Smithfield, Cairns. First, at 6:30pm there were 3 birds in a fairly tight triangular formation (if you can call it that?!) flying south about 15mtrs above ground. Then 30 secs later another single bird was flying in the same direction in direct fashion at the same height, seemingly following the first 3 birds. Normally at this time of year I see odd single birds of this species passing through, however they have always been seen when in more of a foraging mode of flight.It is only because of their very direct flight (for a nightjar) that I am assuming that these 4 birds were on a migration flight. I found this very interesting – first, for the direct flight of all 4 birds.Second, for the formation of the first 3 birds in flight.Thirdly, for the 4th bird seemingly following the first 3 birds. This is a good area for Large-tailed Nightjars, but I didn’t see any around the place tonight. Has anyone any comment on this at all…??? Cheers Martin CachardCairns0428 782 808 ===============================
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G’day David, Mike & everyone else Thanks for your comments on this. I think that it is important to note that this observation was made in the twilight of dusk (6:30pm), so it would I think be considered a normal time for this species to be up & about foraging. It would also be more correct to consider this as crepuscular activity, rather than diural versus nocturnal. Was the direct flight pattern significant in determinig that the birds were actually migrating? I have only seen this species on migration once before & this was a southward movement along the shores of Little Ramsay Bay on Hinchinbrook Is, when there were some 10 birds or so, at a similar height to yesterday’s. However the birds on this occasion were more or less in single file.Last night I thought the first 3 birds grouped together in a triangular line was very odd. I have been outside tonight to check for other birds coming through, but none were seen here. Do we agree that this sighting was of birds on a mig ration flight? I just don’t know, but they weren’t in the normal foraging flight that I am much more used to seeing around here in late October with WTNJ’s. My experience with migrating nightjars is very limited, so I am interested in what others think about this. David, I concur with you about WTNJ on the coastal lowlands being strictly passage migrants only. The only birds I have seen on the lowlands have been from mid-Sept to late October & in March-April. I see birds outside these times only at various places on the local tablelands (ie Julatten, Davies Ck etc). Cheers for now Martin CachardCairns0428 782 808
Hi Martin and Mike,
Observations of diurnal migration in WTNJ do not necessarily preclude nocturnal migration as well. When I was in Townsville migrating nightjars would sometimes turn up in unusual or unexpected day roosts. The huge railway workshop sheds at Stuart was one “regular” location. I flushed 1 from my chicken coup in a suburban backyard one morning. Whilst I can’t prove it, it seemed like they were arriving at these locations during the night to roost by day, before moving on. It appears that they are only passage migrants around Townsville (and I think the entire NQ coastal lowlands), though I never recorded them in migration flight, day or night. WTNJ should be back in SE Aust in numbers by now.
David James, Sydney burunglaut07@yahoo.com ==============================
Sent: Saturday, 22 October 2011 4:23 PM
Very interesting as this sighting would possibly be nocturnal migration. In Carter, M., & Bright, B. (2011), ‘White-throated Nightjar: Diurnal Over-sea Migration in a Nocturnal Bird’ Australian Field Ornithology, 28; 32-37, published in March this year we presented evidence for diurnal migration in this species. I suppose your birds could have just been arriving at their destination or continuing their journey.
Mike Carter 30 Canadian Bay Road Mount Eliza VIC 3930 Tel (03) 9787 7136
Hi Martin and Mike, Observations of diurnal migration in WTNJ do not necessarily preclude nocturnal migration as well. When I was in Townsville migrating nightjars would sometimes turn up in unusual or unexpected day roosts. The huge railway workshop sheds at Stuart was one “regular” location. I flushed 1 from my chicken coup in a suburban backyard one morning. Whilst I can’t prove it, it seemed like they were arriving at these locations during the night to roost by day, before moving on. It appears that they are only passage migrants around Townsville (and I think the entire NQ coastal lowlands), though I never recorded them in migration flight, day or night. WTNJ should be back in SE Aust in numbers by now.
David James, Sydney burunglaut07@yahoo.com ==============================
________________________________ Sent: Saturday, 22 October 2011 4:23 PM
Very interesting as this sighting would possibly be nocturnal migration. In Carter, M., & Bright, B. (2011), ‘White-throated Nightjar: Diurnal Over-sea Migration in a Nocturnal Bird’ Australian Field Ornithology, 28; 32-37, published in March this year we presented evidence for diurnal migration in this species. I suppose your birds could have just been arriving at their destination or continuing their journey.
Mike Carter 30 Canadian Bay Road Mount Eliza VIC 3930 Tel (03) 9787 7136
Very interesting as this sighting would possibly be nocturnal migration. In Carter, M., & Bright, B. (2011), ‘White-throated Nightjar: Diurnal Over-sea Migration in a Nocturnal Bird’ Australian Field Ornithology, 28; 32-37, published in March this year we presented evidence for diurnal migration in this species. I suppose your birds could have just been arriving at their destination or continuing their journey.
Mike Carter 30 Canadian Bay Road Mount Eliza VIC 3930 Tel (03) 9787 7136