birding-aus

Oriental Pratincoles

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Subject: Oriental Pratincoles
From: "Frank O'Connor" <>
Date: Sat, 07 Feb 2004 22:03:07 +0800
I am currently with the Australasian Wader Study Group at Anna Plains 
Station south of Broome in the north west of Western Australia.
We have seen mind boggling numbers of Oriental Pratincoles flying over the 
plain, and even more roosting on the beach during the day.  So much so that 
we organised an aerial survey of the entire length of 80 Mile Beach (about 
220km from Cape Missiessy in the north to Cape Keraudren) today (thanks to 
financial support from CALM in WA).  This confirmed what we thought.  A 
staggering number of 2,500,000 Oriental Pratincoles roosting on the 
beach!!!!  40,000+ per kilometre at some places.  Plus all the usual 'grey 
waders' (previously estimated to be about 500,000 at this time of 
year).  The world population of Oriental Pratincoles was previously 
estimated at only 67,000 (of which 60,000 were estimated to migrate to 
northern Australia).  i.e. We have seen about 40 times the previous world 
estimate.  They haven't had a particularly unusual breeding season, with 
our banding records of about 250 birds showing about 10% juveniles, which 
is low compared to some species.
Would anyone who has seen Oriental Pratincoles in Australia this summer 
please report any sightings to me.

_________________________________________________________________
Frank O'Connor           Birding WA http://birdingwa.iinet.net.au
Phone : (08) 9386 5694 Email :
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