birding-aus

Great week on Lord Howe - Me too!

To: Deb Colbourne <>, "birding aus" <>
Subject: Great week on Lord Howe - Me too!
From:
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:10:00 +1100
Glad you had a good week Deb!

I had an excellent, if rather too short, five nights with great weather
apart from overnight torrential rain that persisted until 10am one day.

I missed out on a trip to Balls Pyramid but the consolation cruise around
the island was very enjoyable with good views of Providence Petrels, Masked
Boobies, Noddies, and Tropicbirds not to mention the spectacular scenery.

I piked out on the Mt Gower walk - my legs said enough after walking most
of the northern and central tracks - and I spent that time snorkelling and
admiring turtles, fish and coral.

We had a resident pair of Woodhens at our accommodation and it was
fascinating to watch them foraging and calling - although the calling in
the middle of the night wasn't really appreciated.

The Golden Plover and Bar-tailed Godwits in breeding plumage were
interesting but, to me, the most striking message was extinction is
forever!

Regards

David




                                                                           
             Deb Colbourne                                                 
             <                                             
             om>                                                        To 
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             birding-aus-bounc                                          cc 
                                   
                                                                   Subject 
                                       [Birding-Aus] Great week on Lord    
             30/03/09 03:52 PM         Howe                                
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           





Hi All,

Just got back from a beautiful week on Lord Howe with friends from the UK,
Becky and Duncan Dine and significant other, Julian. Second time over there
but the first time we were able to get out to Ball's Pyramid which was
amazing. Many thanks to Nevil Lazarus who's article in Wingspan prompted me
to try the Travacalm with caffeine, being a serial vomiter!! And, yes
folks, they work. First time in don't know how many years that we both kept
our heads up and saw all the birds! Can recommend Jack Schick and Noctiluca
to get out there. It was very rough but worth every bone-shaking moment!

Saw the two we were hoping for, storm-petrel and Kermadec, including a
couple of pale phase, as well as loads of Wedge-tailed and Flesh-footed.
Even managed a trip around the island for great views of Grey Ternlet,
Boobies, Little Shearwater, Black-winged Petrel etc.

Two of our party (me and Ju)made the ascent up Mt Gower (against my better
judgement!). It was a tough slog, tougher than I expected, but the views of
the island and petrels at very close quarters and woodhens around our feet
at the summit more than made up for it. The vegetation is beautiful and
unique and the cliff drops breathtaking.

Plenty of Whimbrel, coloured Golden Plover and Double-banded Plovers on the
airstrip as well as the usual and stunning White Terns and Tropicbirds.

Weather was perfect the whole week and too many fish and chips were
consumed by all!

Deb


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