birding-aus

Fluttering Stints

To: Birding Aus <>
Subject: Fluttering Stints
From: L&L Knight <>
Date: Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:07:51 +1000
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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