I have been down to the Manly wader roost [SEQ] both today and this
time last week to see how the waders are colouring up prior to their
northward migration. While the numbers of some species are down
considerably from their summer maximum, other species were still
present in large numbers. In particular, the Grey-tailed Tattlers (>>
100) and Eastern Curlews (~40) were present in numbers close to their
summer abundance.
Godwit numbers were down, and only one was in breeding plumage. There
were a few breeding plumage Lesser Sand Plovers, the odd Greater Sand
Plover, quite a few non-breeding Double-banded Plovers, around 100
stints (many developing red faces), numerous Turnstones, Stilts and
Oystercatchers, a couple of Whimbrels and 5 Golden Plovers. Terek and
Curlew Sandpipers were still present, though in lower numbers than
last weekend.
While Great Knots were thin on the ground at Manly, I did notice a
flock at the Thornside esplanade roost last weekend. Interestingly,
they didn't appear to be in advanced breeding plumage [didn't have the
combination of rich browns and blacks that I was expecting].
I observed an interesting phenomenon last weekend at one corner of the
saltwater lagoon. A group of half a dozen or so stints [some with
advanced breeding plumage] were exercising their wings - fluttering on
the spot in a manner similar to the routine adopted by fledglings
preparing to leave the nest. They were quite tame, allowing me to get
a number of photographs of their exercise routines. It occurred to me
that the stints were preparing for migration and I was wondering if
their departure was imminent.
While there were no stints parked in that corner when I returned this
morning, there was still a large number present, so I was unable to
confirm my hypothesis that the fluttering routine was a pre-migration
warm up.
Is this fluttering behaviour by stints something that others have
noticed?
Regards, Laurie.
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