Another visit to Cairns, two weeks after the last, was timed well for the incoming tide along the Esplanade, which pushed up the waders for good views. There was 13 migratory waders plus a further 20 species recorded in a 20 minute period. Best birds were one Beach-Stone Curlew and three Black-necked Storks. Also surprising was a flock of 71 Royal Spoonbill which was larger than any I had counted in 18 years of previous Esplanade counts.
Beach Stone-curlewThere was a lot more Curlew Sandpipers than two weeks ago and a Pacific Golden Plover which was not recorded then. Full list below:-
Peaceful Dove, Pied Imperial-Pigeon, Australasian Darter, Australian Pelican, Black-necked Stork, Great Egret, Little Egret, Australian White Ibis, Royal Spoonbill, Beach Stone-curlew, Pacific Golden Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Eastern Curlew, Terek Sandpiper, Grey-tailed Tattler, Common Greenshank, Great Knot, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern, Silver Gull, Rainbow Lorikeet, Varied Honeyeater, Willie Wagtail, Welcome Swallow, Common Myna, and House Sparrow.
The wader viewing is so easy here, where else can you sit on a seat in the middle of a town watching these normally difficult birds to observe? Beats tramping through mudflats in the heat of the day!
Peaceful Dove, Pied Imperial-Pigeon, Australasian Darter, Australian Pelican, Black-necked Stork, Great Egret, Little Egret, Australian White Ibis, Royal Spoonbill, Beach Stone-curlew, Pacific Golden Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Eastern Curlew, Terek Sandpiper, Grey-tailed Tattler, Common Greenshank, Great Knot, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern, Silver Gull, Rainbow Lorikeet, Varied Honeyeater, Willie Wagtail, Welcome Swallow, Common Myna, and House Sparrow.
The wader viewing is so easy here, where else can you sit on a seat in the middle of a town watching these normally difficult birds to observe? Beats tramping through mudflats in the heat of the day!
1 comment:
Dear Lindsay & Keith
Great to hear about all the sightings at KPBL. Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2009. Michael. New York City U S A
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