Hi All
Have just spent a wonderful day out on the exposed mud and sand flats of
Shoal Bay on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Saw a moderate number of
migratory waders including Grey Plover (c.30); Ruddy Turnstone (10); Red
-necked Stint (c. 100); Common Greenshank (6); Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (c.
30); Curlew Sandpiper (c. 30); Eastern Curlew (1) and to top it off - (5)
Great Knots which were a new species sighting for KI! Probably sounds a bit
surprising, but knots are very rare on KI with only a few observations of
Red Knots before this time. I was rapt to see them and got some pics of them
as well. Many other birds seen as well, not the least being about 30+ Rock
Parrots (mostly immatures) feasting on fruits of samphire type plant
(Threlkeldia diffusa or Suaeda australis - not sure of ID yet); Osprey;
White-bellied Sea-Eagle (adult and immature) and lots of Little Grassbirds
which live and breed in samphire vegetated Busby Islet Conservation Park.
Got pics of them all with my Panasonic 18 x zoom digital camera. Great
camera and got it off e-bay for about $500 and it has 28 mm (wide angle) to
500 mm in the metric terminology. I thoroughly recommend it to all.
Disappointed not to find some Sanderlings (very rare on KI), Grey - tailed
tattler (not seen here for many years); Whimbrel and Fairy Terns (seemed to
be on decline). Had a ball though and will be back on the sand and mud and
Busby Islet again next week. There is always next time. Cant wait.
Cheers All
Chris Baxter
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www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
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