AGP spotting at Point Cook – beach or dune?
By peter, on March 9th, 2014
I was there at the westernmost rocks between about 11 and 2 yesterday, but not a single plover was seen. It’s been pointed out to me that waiting on the beach as we did instead of on the dune might cause them to feed elsewhere. Several friends who saw it during the past week saw it from the dune. Any opinions? Every time I turn up there, there are others already set up on the beach, so I can’t see the point of waiting on the dune by myself. Peter Shute Sent from my iPad _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
Thanks for that, David, and thanks to those who sent private replies. All indicated that they had waited on the dunes. It seems that the birds want to feed fairly close to the shore, and tend not to land if there are people too close, but will tolerate them moving onto the beach once they’ve landed. Sunday wasn’t ideal for the western rocks. As I arrived there was a woman wading in the sea beyond the rocks, people wandering along the beach, etc. Meanwhile, the plovers were all feeding at Pt Cook itself, and a kind birder came down to inform those waiting in vain at the western rocks. Unfortunately, the flock had taken flight just before we got there, and several of them had departed, including the AGP. Then they all flushed and some of us went back to the western rocks, where we found several PGPs, no AGP. I gave up, intending to return on Monday, a public holiday, which would mean the Homestead would be closed, and there should be less people on the beach. But didn’t. Peter Shute _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org