Hi birders
I just wanted to make sure that my comments on the declining status of
Bustard in the Top End were seen to be the result of ad hoc observations and
not a formal study. As I said, I'd welcome a formal study.
Sand Plover identification I think is a pretty straight forward issue in the
Darwin region, though it has been a cause of confusion for some.
Comparing the longer-billed Greaters to the shorter-billed Greaters can make
the shorter-billed ones look like they should be Lessers. Until a real
Lesser is seen! I've always likened the difference between the two species'
bills as being like a cigar compared with a cigarette butt. I've not thought
about the size difference being attributable to age, but I don't doubt that
there's more than one race involved, with significant bill size difference.
By and large, Greater Sand Plover vastly outnumbers Lesser, although it
appears that early on in the southward migration, Lesser outnumbers Greater
at high tide roosts in reef areas such as East Point. It is the opposite at
sandy roost sites, and throughout the summer at all sites.
Have a good birding weekend
Niven
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