Long-billed Dowitcher

Hi all. At last I had an opportunity to head to Kerang to look for this bird. Margaret Reidy and I left Sydney at 6:00 am on Sunday morning and arrived at Lake Tuchewop at about 4:30 pm. We met a group of four who were also very keen to see the bird but it was not to be on that day. Monday morning saw us at the South end of Lake Tuchewop but there were few waders there to see despite searching the edges of the irrigation drain that feeds the lake. We visited Lake Kelly with its large numbers of Banded Stilts and avocets then returned at about 9:30 am to Lake Tuchewop. There were two other birders there and after about an hour some new waders tuned up. They were mostly Sharp-tailed Sandpipers but on viewing a bit closer the LBD was at last seen to the the glee of all present (10 in total). In all we saw Pectoral Sandpipers (4 reported saw 2), Marsh Sandpipers (6), Curlew Sandpipers(4) as well as the Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Red-necked Stints and large numbers of Red-capped Plovers. There were also some very muddy photographers who hopefully got some good close shots. They were probably just after the Pectoral Sandpipers. On the way home we stopped and saw the Ostriches near Barham from Lashbrook Road. Many thanks to all present for their company and enthusiasm as well as the many posts on Birding Aus ( haven’t looked at Facebook). Happy Birding, — John Reidy Sydney Phone: 02 9871 4836 Fax: 02 9871 2616 —– No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG – www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4257/8878 – Release Date: 01/06/15