Red-throated Pipit update – colouring up?

Stephen Reynolds and I had excellent views of the RTP this morning at Lake McLarty. My impression today compared to the 26th Jan is that the bird is colouring up, and now has a ‘red throat’…has anybody else observed this? In my photos from 26 Jan the bird appears to have a whitish throat, with an orangey wash across the breast. This morning the wash appeared more distinctive and more of a pale rust-red, and the face, throat and breast seemed more coloured. Steve and I will try to post some photos asap. Martin, happy to send some photos. Our first views of the RTP this morning were at 7.30am, along with Perth photographer Bill, in the grass in the SE corner. It was observed for 5 minutes before flushing when a group of White-fronted Chats flew over, flying to the southern end of the lake. It was seen again in the SE corner at 10.30am, on our return along the lake. The bird was located near the water’s edge amongst the reed tussocks, with a group of White-fronted Chats. We had cracking views as it walked back and forth in the water between tussocks, always staying near the chats. We left after 20min observation with the bird still in the water! Good views of the Ruff and a Pectoral Sandpiper together were also had, half way down the eastern side of the lake. There were 2000+ Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, however we had only scanned part of the group before they flushed as a helicopter passed near the lake. They were spooked after that and continued to flush and move about the lake. Apart from that, the wader viewing couldn’t be better at the moment! With the water receding many of the waders can be seen without a scope, on mud or in the shallows, as opposed to hidden in the grass as of the past couple of weeks. Will post an update as to where the photos go – I’d be interested to hear other’s opinions on the colouring. Cheers, Plaxy On 4 February 2014 09:47, Nigel Jackett <nigel.jackett@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Martin, > > Here is some cool footage Stewart Ford took of the Red-throated Pipit > preening: > http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist?subID=S16731948 > > Cheers, > > Nigel > > > On Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 8:01 AM, martin cachard <mcachard@hotmail.com> > wrote: > > > does anyone have any pics that they can send to me of this bird please?? > > thanx…martin cachard, cairns > > > > > From: jweigel@reptilepark.com.au > > > Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2014 07:59:13 +0800 > > > To: birding-aus@birding-aus.org > > > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Red-throated Pipit update > > > > > > Tania. It was there at 2pm yesterday (Monday) in sparse tussocks at > > waters edge just to the right of your first access after the gate you > duck > > under. > > > > > > Good luck! > > > John Weigel > > > > > > > > > John > > > Sent from my iPhone > > > _______________________________________________ > > > 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 > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > _______________________________________________ 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