Saturday 25 February 2012

Banded Stilts (thousands) on Logan Lagoon

Approximately 2000 Banded Stilts were observed in the north- eastern bay of Logan Lagoon, Flinders Island (55G 0610615 E 5553839 S) on 24th_25th February 2012. 

They were observed roosting in a straight line approximately 10 birds deep, 100 metres offshore in shallow water. When feeding they moved as one group in an ever changing line.

The flock was a mixture of adults in breeding and non-breeding plumage with some juveniles. No other wader species were seen in the flock. In 2003, between 1000-3000 Banded stilts were also observed in this area, travelling between Cameron Inlet, Logan Lagoon and Adelaide Bay from approximately mid- January through till March-April. 

All other Tasmanian sightings of Banded Stilts have been in numbers less than 10.


Observers: Liz Znidersic and Dr Sue Robinson (DPIPWE).








 Pictures (C) Liz Znidersic












Thursday 23 February 2012

Whitethroated Needletails gathering

On sunset Thursday 23rd Feb I was a amazed to see lots and lots of fast moving birds high in the sky. There must have been more than fifty at any one moment, but because they were travelling so fast in different directions it was difficult to count.
A call to Liz identified them as probably being Whitethroated Needletails, similar to Swallows in shape but bigger and without the telltale forked tail, preparing to migrate to their winter breeding sky somewhere in northern Asia.
 http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=682


Composite photograph by John H

More sightings from Pam

"I have on two occasions this month watched large flocks of needletailed swifts milling around in the sky above Scamander, so high they looked like a swarm of mosquitoes at times. They would suddenly disperse, then equally suddenly reappear, gathering from every direction and even swooping low over the beach and the river. The low sun lit up their white throats."

Wednesday 1 February 2012

Gardens to The Marshes fire trail


Attached is the bird list from last Wednesday (thanks Des). Great location, excellent company and quite a few birds. Thanks to Nick and Annette for hosting a superb morning tea with delicious chicken soup!

Before next month flies around, does anyone have any ideas for our next walk?

Best birding wishes,

Liz

Cheeky Dwingfie


Bird list:





WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE Aquila audax
YELLOW-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO Calyptorhynchus funereus
LAUGHING KOOKABURRA Dacelo novaeguineae
SUPERB FAIRY-WREN Malurus cyaneus
SPOTTED PARDALOTE Pardalotus punctatus
BROWN THORNBILL Acanthiza pusilla
TASMANIAN THORNBILL Acanthiza ewingii
YELLOW WATTLEBIRD Anthochaera paradoxa
YELLOW-THROATED HONEYEATER Lichenostomus flavicollis
EASTERN SPINEBILL Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
SCARLET ROBIN Petroica boodang
GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH Colluricincla harmonica
GOLDEN WHISTLER Pachycephala pectoralis
GREY FANTAIL Rhipidura fuliginosa
BLACK-FACED CUCKOO-SHRIKE Coracina novaehollandiae
DUSKY WOODSWALLOW Artamus cyanopterus
GREY BUTCHERBIRD Cracticus torquatus
GREY CURRAWONG Strepera versicolor
FOREST RAVEN Corvus tasmanicus