We're currently sat at the international terminal at Xmas Island airport kicking our heels so we thought we'd jot a few notes on our week here. We decided to come in the Dry to get Ju away from the Hobart winter for a few days and so missed out on the peak migration season.
We stayed in a self contained house which had everything going for it apart from the location behind the port loading facility but at least it was close to Smith's Point and had close views of Golden Tropicbirds from the verandah.
We saw everything that we set out to, although the hardest birds to locate turned out to be the introductions, Waterhen and Java Sparrow. We spent far more time than is reasonable at the tip on a holiday looking for Waterhen. We decided that we have been to better classes of tip around the place but as Ju reasonably pointed out, it probably improves in the Wet!
Java Sparrow, much searching only produced two birds outside the dive shop next to VQ3 Lodge. We did look in all likely habitat without success elsewhere.
White Breasted Waterhen, another one we had to search for extensively and only had a brief view of one bird in some leguminous weed opposite the entrance to the Phosphate Hill Cemetery on Quarry Road.
CI Goshawk, some excellent views of juveniles and adults, at the tip and on several roadsides. We had an extremely close encounter on the Dales walk when a juv landed in a tree about 2 foot above Ju's head affording some excellent photos.
CI Hawk Owl, we had help from Lisa for this one and caught up with one spotlighting near the airport. We did check out the golf course without success.
Abbotts Booby, again we saw a few nesting but there weren't huge numbers and the lookouts recommended were generally overgrown as the reveg was growing fast.
We saw 3 Great and one Intermediate Egret at the golf course but other than that no other migrants, not a surprise given the time of year.
Plenty of crabs around for further photo opportunities and lovely coastal scenery. There is extensive baiting for cats and rats on the island so maybe it will give some of the birds a chance to recover their numbers in time.
Regards
Deb and Ju ===============================
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