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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