FW: All change at Melbourne’s WTP + Phalarope

> What a difference a week makes.
>
> Last Monday, 14 of March the T-Section lagoons played host to a wide
> array of migratory waders: Black-tailed Godwits, Red Knots,
> Greenshanks, dozens of Marsh Sandpipers, hundreds of Sharpies, similar
> numbers of Curlew Sands, loads of RN Stints, a Pectoral, 3 or 4 Woods
> and of course the popular Red-necked Phalarope. Watching an mature
> Black Falcon dashing in and shuffling the pack last week was a highlight.
>
> This Sunday there were just a couple of Sharpies and the Godwits
> remaining; the Stilts, Avocets and Lapwings were still there in
> similar numbers but had all the rest started their northward
> migration? The beach near the hide held large numbers of Stints on the
> receding tide line but only a few Sharpies and I could not pick out
> anything else. Similar story along the coast as far as the Borrow Pits.
>
> Perhaps the F18 flying to and from the F1 GP in Albert Park scared
> them off
> (- though the local Stilts and Lapwings around Albert Park do not seem
> to fussed about the commotion) or is this just the week that they leave?
>
> Have other observers noted similar reductions in migratory waders this
> week? At Broome they watch the waders depart as a evening ritual at
> this time of year. Must try and sample the WTP more regularly mid
> March next year.
>
> Regards
>
> Mark Stanley
>