From: “notifications@eremaea.comnotifications@eremaea.com>” <notifications@eremaea.comnotifications@eremaea.com>> Date: 13 January 2014 4:02:08 am AEDT To: “birding-aus@birding-aus.orgbirding-aus@birding-aus.org>” <birding-aus@birding-aus.orgbirding-aus@birding-aus.org>> Subject: Birdline South Australia Weekly Update Birdline South Australia Published sightings for the week ending 12 Jan 2014. Thu 9 Jan Pectoral Sandpiper Whicker Road Wetlands, Whicker Road – Gilman One adult in non br plumage and in the company of a Ruff. Very approachable and confiding. Mostly on exposed mud and grassy areas. Edd Smith, Peter Strauss. Ruff Whicker Road Wetlands, Gilman 09:30 One Ruff in the company of a Pectoral Sandpiper. It was very skittish and would fly at the least disturbance and resettle out of sight. Peter Strauss, Edd Smith. Australian Bittern Bool Lagoon Arrived at about 11.15 am this morning and within an hour, I had sighted and photographed 6 Australian Bitterns mainly around the camping area. Many more heard. What a stronghold for this species. All photos were taken in flight. Bernie OKeefe Wed 8 Jan Pectoral Sandpiper (1), Ruff (1) Whicker Road Wetland, Gillman Obliging Pectoral Sandpiper allowing close views. Single Ruff (first reported by Joseph Dafoe on Birdpedia). Michael Wood Chiming Wedgebill Stuart Hwy 125.3 kms north of Glendambo After a bird came crashing into my windscreen, I returned to see what it was(a crested pigeon). As soon as I jumped out of the car, I could hear a beautiful bird song close by. After finding and photographing a wedgebill, I checked the sounds of both wedgebills and it was clearly the Chiming as the calls are very different. What a fluke to stop at one point on the Stuart highway and find this bird! There were birds everywhere at this point including Black-faced WS and WB Babblers. The precise location is 125.3 kms north of Glendambo. Bernie OKeefe Tue 7 Jan Java Sparrow Highland Valley, SA Java Sparrow seen scouting our bird bath at Highland Valley, South Australia at about midday. Almost certainly an escapee. Under observation for about 15 minutes from a distance of about 10 – 12 metres. Weather fine, mostly cloudy, 22 deg C., wind of about 10 knots from south east. Adrian Thomas Watkins Mon 6 Jan Australasian Bittern Bool Lagoon An overnight stay in the camp and while out on a night walk up to nine Bitterns were heard booming at various locations. The following morning produced five sightings of Bitterns seen in flight over the reed beds along the Gunawar and Pat Om Trails. One individual made an appearance as it flew over the camp site. Another Bittern was located and observed along the western boundary of the reserve and it is strongly suspected that it is attending to a nest. Edd Smith Sun 5 Jan Australasian Bittern Bool Lagoon Day visit. Wretched conditions with cold, rain and blowing a gale! Despite all this we completed all of the walks and spent time in both bird hides. Obviously an exceptional wetlands precinct. Australasian Bittern (6) 5 heard and 1 seen in flight from the Pat Om walk car park. For those wanting to visit to see bitterns the place we heard them most is at the car park at the end of the road. It is also the entrance point for the Gunawar walk. We were surprised by how loud the ‘oom’ calls were! Hedley and Irena Earl Birdline South Australia is hosted by Eremaea Birds. _______________________________________________ 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
