Birdline Australia Weekly Update

Birdline Australia Published sightings for the week ending 28 Dec 2014. Wed 24 Dec Red-necked Phalarope, Long-billed Dowitcher Lake Tutchewop Very few migratory waders present early this morning. Whispered Terns and Banded Stilts also low numbers. Red-necked Phalarope eventually located at southern end of lake around 1130am (where previously reported) an earlier sighting of bird in flight with flock of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers at nearby Lake William was also considered likely candidate. The Long-billed Dowitcher still present -seen resting on Northern shore later in day. Scott Baker, Tim Bawden Tue 23 Dec Grey Wagtail Charles Darwin Uni The wagtail first seen several weeks ago showed well today, flying several times between the drainage pipes and the rocks downstream of the bridge, where it feeds when the tide is low. James Dickson Red-necked Pharalope Lake Tutchewop All credit must go to Bob Hughes who located the bird amid hundreds of waders in the scope, then confirmed by Michael Sturmfels, who are both familiar with the species. My job was to photograph it so as to determine its correct ID. It was found this afternoon on the south eastern section of the lake, about 500 metres from where the pelicans roost. If you plan to search for it, be aware that it preferred to swim rather than wade, so it is most likely to be behind the waders feeding on the shoreline. The bird allowed me to approach very closely and even then did not flush! Bob Hughes, Bernie OKeefe, Michael Sturmfels and Russell Hughes Watercock Cocos Keeling Islands West Island farm Seen from the car feeding under a fruit tree with a gang of Green Breasted Jungle Fowls. Geof Christie Fri 5 Dec Eurasian Hobby Cocos Keeling Island Direction Isl First spotted on Direction Island on the 5 December by a group of visiting birders ,. Stayed in the picnic area for 10 days and was twitched by a second bird tour. Then seen to fly off to West Island but no sighting yet. Geof Christie and many others.