I was intending to take my chance and visit Boatharbour early tomorrow
morning to catch the high tide. However, that opportunity vanished as a
result of work commitments and I went there this afternoon instead.
I arrived at the rock platform at around 3 pm and stayed until 4 pm.
Conditions were pretty awful for wader watching - it was around the low tide
time, there was a very strong easterly wind, and two large military cargo
aircraft flew low over the rock platform (on training flights?) 20 minutes
into my search for the AGP, the latter spooking all the birds that were on
the platform (and offshore rock island) simultaneously.
Despite these awful conditions, I found the AGP at the western end of the
rock platform, in the intertidal zone containing the algal encrusted sea
squirts. It wasn't easy to find because it was foraging among rock crevices
which were sheltered from the wind. The other usual waders (Pacific Golden
Plovers, Ruddy Turnstone and Red-necked Stints) were still there, too. The
terns seemed relatively untroubled by the strong winds and were resting on
more exposed areas of the rock platform, although the low-flying military
aircraft did cause them to take flight temporarily.
Thanks to the Boatharbour Park ranger (sorry, I don't know his name) for
pointing me in the right general direction when I first arrived at the
beach. The $19 parking fee was worth every cent.
Good luck to those who go looking for the AGP over the next few days.
Judging from its plumage coloration, I'd say it's ready to leave any time.
Regards,
Stephen
Stephen Ambrose
Ryde, NSW
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