Hi birders,
Returned from a family trip to Lord Howe a couple of weeks ago. I have
hesitated in writing anything about this lovely trip, as it seemed rather
flippant at the time......we went over there on Saturday 7th, and only heard
about the awful fires on the Monday!!
However, I now think I should pen a few words.
This was our first "summer trip", as we'd visited in July 2000. My hopes of now
seeing the summer birds was amply fulfilled. Gorgeous White Terns, some still
with chicks on their vertical branches around the settlement and flying about
the pines; Sooty Terns, including lots of equally handsome juveniles,at roosts
on Ned's Beach (our favourite), Blinky Beach off the eastern end of the
airstrip, and North Bay, as well as up Mt. Eliza - where you only go so far so
as not to unduly disturb nesting birds (but, high enough to enjoy wonderful
views south over the Lagoon towards Mts Lidgbird and Gower). First experienced
at Ned's Beach were stunning Black-winged Petrels flying in pairs in sweeping
arcs over cliffs and beaches and water and ME, calling out!
Up to Malabar lookout and along the cliff face, with wonderful views of soaring
Red-tailed Tropicbirds, seen close up at Old Gulch and later off Blinky Beach,
as well as beautifully framed from Clear Place Point, towards Balls Pyramid
mystically beckoning in the distance, as they performed their aerial courtship
manoeuvres. Indifferent Masked Booby passed by very close.
A magical seabird cruise one afternoon (the first permitted by weather and wave
conditions for nearly two weeks - phew) with Ian Hutton and Jack Shick, took us
clockwise around the Island, past the Admiralty Islets and close below the
towering cliffs of Lidgbird and Gower, and out to Ball's Pyramid. Just
awesome!!! We were treated to dainty White-bellied Storm Petrel; Kermadec
Petrel in variable phases, and lots of Grey Ternlet. A call went up:
White-necked Petrel, but I just couldn't get a good enough view of it.
Wedge-tailed and Fleshy-footed Shearwater came readily round the boat, and the
latter were amazing to watch later at dusk off Ned's Beach, as they came flying
in past you to their burrows and roosts, flopping down under the palms and
setting off a mournful, wailing greeting from their young!
You don't need to climb Mt. Gower to see Lord Howe Woodhen, the most noteworthy
of the land birds. Two talks by Ian Hutton at the Museum, and one by postmaster
Phillipps (mainly aviation), emphasised the superb "back from the brink"
conservation efforts taken to preserve this species.
There is a wonderful plant life on the island and splendid fish and turtles on
the corral reefs, but that's another story. Travelling round on bicycles and
just walking allows you to enjoy superb views while getting in some exercise.
Feel free to contact me for any information required, off list.
Cheers,
Peter Madvig
==============================www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
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