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
