Broome 2017 _ Wave The Waders Goodbye _ Day 05

Day 05

We had the early morning “off” so three of us, including Emelia the young BBO assistant, decided to give the Mangrove Walk another try as the tide was right first thing. We were targeting the Common Redshank described in Morecombe as an uncommon, but probably regular, summer visitor most likely the ssp ussuriensis, birds that breed in Mongolia, Mancuria and eastern Russia. The Roebuck Bay population are seen all year and I understood that this is the only population in Australia that is reliably recorded with numbers in single figures (not that they are rare elsewhere). On the way through the mangroves [not far, a hundred metres or so] we had to swat away the droves of White-breasted Whistlers and Broad-billed Flycatchers. Well, one of each.

White-breasted Whistler Pachycephala lanioides  Male

Broad-billed Flycatcher Myiagra ruficollis 

This bird was so close for a good length of time. Lots of pictures taken.

A distinguishing mark that differentiates this species from the almost identical Leaden Flycatcher is that the retrices (tail feathers) of the BB are graduated in length and have white edges. A deal of time was spent photographing the underside of the tail!!

Common Redshank Tringa totanus

These shots are as good as it got. We saw 4 individuals from a couple of hundred metres. Long lenses are a boon.

About 9 we set off for Barred Creek to the north of Broome. Highlights here were a single Beach Stone-curlew and a Grey Plover among a group of Grey-tailed Tattlers.

BEach Stone-curlew Esacus magnirostris

Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa breviceps
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola The bigger background bird

Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel Male

Go North -- 06 -- Chill on the Beach

After picking up Erica's car we ventured to the eastern coast of the Cape into the Iron Range NP and camped for several nights at Chilli Beach. During springtime there is a constant and consistent on-shore easterly trade wind. This has the disadvantage of driving, and keeping, algae on the shore hence the edges can be a bit squishy underfoot, the odour can be offensive and you generally want to avoid it. But once the tide has gone out, the exposed sand banks are a delight. Quite a few birds about, 4WDs on the beach, folks fishing and birders birding. A delightful, restful place.

Australian Pied Oystercatchers Haematopus longirostris

Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva

Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleusos

Eastern Reef Egret Ardea sacra light and dark morphs

Beach Stone-curlew Esacus neglectus

Two Beach Stone-curlews came winging in, did a small amount of courting for several minutes then go down to it.

Magic. f8, t1250 and be there.

"Go South, old codger"

There I was in Cairns with just a trip home on the program but with no time constraints although I had booked a bed at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy property, "Bowra", just out of Cunnamulla, for a week before Easter. Today was 13 March so, what to do. First job was to deliver vehicle to a 4WD place in Cairns for a service. Robert and Heath had put on 12.000kms in 7 weeks. They rang me during the afternoon to tell me they had discovered some important work that needed to be done based on some intel I had given them so it was there for 2 days. I walked over to the Esplanade in Cairns to arrive about 4 o'clock at the Seat of Learning under the Tree of Knowledge where a group of local, retired and very knowledgable and enthusiastic birders meet every day. When I had introduced myself, I was informed that my progress up the coast had been noted via eBird lists I had been submitting. In a good way, that was the best introduction you could have. My bona fides were already established. On that basis, one of the dudes offered me a day of birding up in the hinterland whilst the car was out of action. Guided by a local? You bet.

Starting at 6.30, we had seen 36 species by our return at lunchtime. Two lifers: Grey-headed Robin and Spotted Catbird. Good picture of a Pale-yellow Robin. On the way back we diverted to a block of land in an industrial estate subject to tidal vagaries and saw a family of Beach Stone-curlews.

Metallic Starling Aplornis metallica

Beach Stone-curlew Esacus magnirostris

Pale-yellow Robin Tregellasia capito

Later that day I did the Mangrove Boardwalk near the airport [mozzies were amazing] and had another session with the old dudes/seat/tree on the Esplanade.

Olive-backed Sunbird, male Nectarinia jugularis

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva

Eastern Curlew Numinous madagasariensis

with dinner