Birdline Australia Weekly Update

Birdline Australia Published sightings for the week ending 30 Nov 2014. Fri 28 Nov Pechora Pipit, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Tiger Shrike, Japanese SH, Red-billed TB Ashmore Reef & Browse Island ~2 week survey, Browse Basin, off Kimberley coast. (Pechora Pipit) 1 immature bird was present at Ashmore for the duration of the visit. (Asian Brown Flycatcher) 1 present at Ashmore for 3 days. (Tiger Shrike) juvenile on Browse Island was the 2nd record for this island and WA. (Oriental Reed Warbler) 3 individuals at Ashmore. 4th reed warbler at Ashmore believed to be an Australian Reed Warbler (Japanese Sparrowhawk) 1 immature at Ashmore for 4 days. It was seen consuming an Oriental Cuckoo, Horsfieldas Bronze-cuckoo & Sacred Kingfisher on different days (Red-billed Tropicbird) 1 Ashmore on one morning. Nearest breeding population of this species is in the Persian Gulf and this individual had wandered far from its normal range (Arctic Warbler) The diagnostic single syllabic contact call of Arctic Warbler was heard from 3 individuals, 2 at Ashmore and 1 at Browse Island. Number of other individuals didn’t call, whether Arctic Warbler or Kamchatka Warbler unknown. Based on plumage and behavioural differences there was a minimum of eight Arctic-type warblers at Ashmore and three at Browse Island. (White-breasted Waterhen) 1 moribund bird was found at Ashmore. Noteworthy as it belonged to subspecies *leucomelana,* this is the 3rd record of the species for Ashmore. (Grey Wagtail) 3 Ashmore Reef, 1 Browse Island. (White-throated Needletail) 1 roosted at Ashmore on one night. 1st record for Ashmore and generally rare in the western half of Australia. For birds which were photographed, images can be found at http://www.pbase.com/wildlifeimages/vagrants Rowan Mott & Adrian Boyle et al. Thu 27 Nov White-throated Needletail Mossman Approximately 2000 White-throated Needletail, with approximately 50 Fork-tailed Swift mixed in moving in a westerly direction seen over Mossman. This is my first sighting of such a large flock this season. The flock stretched out of sight to the south and the north as the moved in a westerly direction so the estimate of 2000 birds is on the conservative side. Doug Herrington Sun 23 Nov White-cheeked Honeyeater (2), Black Bittern (1) Croajingolong National Park Located a pair of White-cheeked Honeyeaters along the road that passes the boardwalk in Howe Flat in Croajingolong National Park. About 100 metres down the track past the boardwalk, we heard an unusual call which we pssshted in. Single bird shot across path noticeably larger than New Holland Honeyeater. On second view as it flew about we viewed the large white patch on cheek and confirmed White-cheeked Honeyeater. Over the next 20 minutes we struggled to get photos but eventually succeeded and confirmed a pair of birds when seen together flying about the area. Many photos taken and photo of exact spot where birds located also available to interested twitchers. Also of note, single Black Bittern flushed from under bridge outside Mallacoota on the previous day. James Mustafa & Steve Davidson Thu 20 Nov Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) Seisia near Bamaga, North Queensland Spotted flying around the wharf at Seisia. It landed on the beach and was photographed there. David Baume, Master of the cargo vessel Trinity Bay Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) Seisia near Bamaga, North Queensland Spotted flying around the wharf at Seisia. It landed on the beach and was photographed there. David Baume, Master of the cargo vessel Trinity Bay Fri 14 Nov Grey Wagtail Birthday Creek Falls – Paluma Range National Park One individual, non-breeding plumage, observed hopping upstream from the falls at approx. 10am. Bird was flighty and flew to low branches when initially approached, then continued upstream, maintaing a significant distance from us. One distant and heavily cropped photograph attached here to support the record. I note there is one previous record from the same location from 1993. April Boaden and David Hall