Hi Birders,
The Central Coast Group of Birding NSW held their regular monthly outing
last Saturday (4/3/2006) and commenced the day Pambalong Nature Reserve,
Minmi. The wetlands were pretty full of water and there were few waterbirds
. The extensive area of Water Hyacinth on the top pond must be a cause of
concern to both birdwatchers and the NPWS alike! Best birds here were a pair
of Wedge-tailed Eagles, a pair of Black-shouldered Kites and an immature
Swamp Harrier.
Across the F3 Freeway at Leneghans Flat Swamp the birding was better with a
flock of 24 Glossy Ibis feeding along the western shoreline along with an
adult and juvenile Black-fronted Plover, 14 Shovelers, 2 Chestnut Teal with
3 ducklings as well as an Intermediate Egret. Among the raptores was
another, very dark, Wedge-tailed Eagle, a Hobby and 4 Whistling Kites.
Onto the Stockton breakwall to look for the reported Jaegers in Newcastle
Harbour but alas the fish shoals had gone and there were no Jaegers to be
found. A lone Australasian Gannet, a few Common Terns and a some
Wedge-tailed Shearwaters at the Harbour Entrance were all that was to be
seen.
Lunch was taken at the Stockton Wreck where we managed to find the Common
Sandpiper and both Yellow Thornbills and Mangrove Gerygones were watched. At
Stockton Sandspit, all 22 participants managed to obtain great views of a
lone Broad-billed Sandpiper, pointed out to us by Dr Phil Hansbro who was
present there. The Broadbill was amongst a small flock of Red-necked Stints
and Red-capped Plovers. 24 Terek Sandpipers, many Avocets and Black-winged
Stilts, smaller numbers of Bar-tailed & Black-tailed Godwits and Eastern
Curlews were also present. Royal Spoonbill, Gull-billed Tern and Little
Egret were also on the pond.
Our final stop was the Ash Island ponds, where we saw many Pipits &
White-fronted Chats, a few Greenshanks and Eastern Curlews, more Stilts and
Avocets, a Kestrel , 2+ Sea-eagles and several Whistling Kites while a Grey
Goshawk flew across the road at the Steel River Industrial Park enroute to
the Island. Alas no Yellow Wagtails were sighted at Wagtail Way! A good day
for raptors and waders.
Alan Morris
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