Birdline Western Australia Weekly Update

Birdline Western Australia

Published sightings for the week ending 30 Jan 2011.

Wed 26 Jan	Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, White-fronted Chat Herdsman Lake, Perth, Western Australia Large numbers of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (100+) plus quite a few White-fronted Chat (10+) on north western side of lake where the reeds have been cut down exposing mud. Probably some Pectoral Sandpiper amongst the Sharp-Tails but didn't see any. Bruce Wedderburn
Wed 19 Jan	HODGSON’S HAWK-CUCKOO, EUROPEAN ROLLER Cocos (Keeling) Islands , Cocos-Keeling Islands See below a summary of a trip report listing the birds seen on Cocos (Keeling) Islands Birds observed 28 Dec 2010 to 4 Jan 2011 (issued 18 January 2011). Visit by Mike Carter, David James, Ian McAllan, Frank O’Connor, Tony Palliser & Tom Smith. [For full report see further information link below.] EURASIAN TEAL; YELLOW BITTERN; CINNAMON BITTERN; WESTERN REEF EGRET; EURASIAN HOBBY; PEREGRINE FALCON (sub sp?) 1 large bird on Horsburgh Is on 2 Jan had dense dark streaking below and broad moustachial. 1st record for Cocos; CHINESE SPARROWHAWK; JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK; UNIDENTIFIED [raptor] Distant pale bird with dark wing tips & distinctive flight (wing beats with high up-sweep & deep down-sweep) seen by all but MC photographed flying away to N on West Is on 2 Jan; WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN 50+; WATERCOCK; PIN-TAILED SNIPE; SAUNDERS'S TERN; LARGE HAWK-CUCKOO (3rd Australian record); HODGSON’S HAWK-CUCKOO *MC West Is: directed to dead bird at Quarantine Stn on 28 Dec that was found on 26 Dec presumably having hit a window. Specimen examined & stored in freezer there. 1 at Quarantine Stn on 1 Jan & possibles at S end on 2 Jan & on east side of airstrip on 3 Jan. 1 at Oceania House on Home Is on 30-31 Dec. NEW FOR AUSTRALIA; EUROPEAN ROLLER *TP 1 on Horsburgh Is on 2 Jan. NEW FOR AUSTRALIA; BARN SWALLOW. Mike Carter et al per Tim Dolby
Tue 18 Jan	Javan Pond Heron Kununurra, Western Australia BARC has received a submission with photos from Matt Barrett & John Kirby of a Javan Pond Heron in breeding plumage seen on 13 January 2011, 19 km N of Kununurra, WA at 15 deg 36'10"S 128 deg 58'47"E. I will need to check but I believe this to be about the 4th Australian report, 2nd mainland record & 1st WA record. I have no later news. Matt Barrett & John Kirby per Mike Carter
Sat 8 Jan	Common Noddy Lancelin Island, Lancelin, Western Australia Saw a group of Common Noddy around the northern part of the island and over the water between the island and the mainland. Easily visible from the beach. Also numerous Bridled Terns and Wedge-Tailed Shearwater. Meryl Ferguson
Wed 5 Jan	Malayan Night Heron, Yellow Bittern, Red-collared Dove Various locations, Christmas Island, Christmas Island 5-6 Yellow Bitterns, a Malayan Night Heron, a Red-collared Dove and the recently reported Oriental Reed Warbler all seen on Christmas island today and yesterday Mike Carter, Tony Palliser, Frank O'Connor per Rohan Clarke
Sun 2 Jan	Indian Roller, possible Montagu's Harrier, Pond Heron sp Horsburgh Island, Cocos-Keeling Islands On Horsburgh Island Indian Roller seen well and many photographs, possible Montagu's Harrier also seen by several participants (distant photographs may assist with confirmation of ID). Both species would be new for Australia and its territories. Since then a Pond Heron species has been seen and photographed. Species not yet identified. Mike Carter, Tony Palliser, Frank O'Connor per Rohan Clarke
Fri 31 Dec	Watercock, Cinnamon Bittern, possible Japanese Sparrowhawk Cocos islands, Cocos-Keeling Islands A quick update from Mike Carter, Tony Palliser and Frank O'Connor who are currently on Cocos islands. In addition to the rarities reported a couple of days ago they have also now had Watercock on two islands, an accipiter that is thought to be a Japanese Sparrowhawk and a Cinnamon Bittern on Home Island. No doubt more to follow. Mike Carter, Tony Palliser and Frank O'Connor per Rohab Clarke
Thu 30 Dec	YELLOW BITTERN and CINNAMON OR SCHRENCK'S. BITTERN Casino , Christmas Island Adult YELLOW BITTERN photographed near Casino this afternoon. Another bittern also present at same location, either CINNAMON OR SCHRENCK'S. Richard Baxter
Wed 29 Dec	Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo, Yellow Bittern, Common Teal, Watercock Cocos Keeling, Cocos-Keeling Islands Mike Carter has just rang with the news that a Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo has been collected dead on Cocos Keeling today. Wing measurements 177mm and 176, inner most tertial on both sides white. Lots of photographs have been taken. Yellow Bittern, Common Teal and Watercock still present on the Island. Per Mike Carter and Jeff Davies
Mon 20 Dec	Red-throated Pipit update, Little Ringed Plover Broome, Western Australia George Swann reports that all wagtails and the Red-throated Pipit have departed the Broome town ovals but both species of Yellow Wagtail can be seen on the track to Crab Creek behind the Observatory. There is a Little Ringed Plover at the sewage works. George Swann per Mike Carter
Thu 16 Dec	Yellow Chat, Great Crested Grebe Lake Argyle (south), Western Australia About 3 pair of yellow chats in mud grass. 1 Great Crested Grebe about 50m from shore at 16deg 22' 52" S 128deg 42' 41' E. Accessed by boat only Sth Eastern Point Mick Jerram
Thu 9 Dec	Island Monarch Cassini Island, Western Australia BARC has received an excellent submission from Merrick Ekins of an Island Monarch seen and photographed on Cassini Island off the Kimberley coast in WA on 15 October 2010. This species has not previously been recorded as occurring anywhere in Australia other than on the external territory of Ashmore Reef. First seen at Ashmore in 2004, it has now been seen on each Kimberley Birdwatching's annual spring trip since 2007 (4 visits) and was present there in April and November 2010 when up to 4 individuals were present although not seen every day. Merrick Ekins per Mike Carter
	PURPLE-BACKED STARLING, etc CK Is, Cocos-Keeling Islands Update Thursday 9 Dec 2010 from Cocos: 1. 1 x COMMON REDSHANK photographed on North Keeling; 2. 3 x BULWER'S PETREL at sea between West Is and North Keeling; 3. 1 x JOUANIN'S PETREL at sea between West Is and North Keeling; 4. 1 x PURPLE-BACKED STARLING photographed on Home Island this morning; 5. 1 x male WATERCOCK on Home Island this morning. Flushed and only seen by three people. Separate bird to the one seen by David James on West Island four days ago; 6. Up to three seperate EURASIAN HOBBY on the islands; 7. 2-3 ORIENTAL CUCKOO on West and Home Islands; 8. 8-10 PIN-TAILED SNIPE on West Island. Per Richard Baxter
Tue 7 Dec	Western Ground Parrot Cape Arid National Park, Western Australia Nigel Jackett, Jaime Hall, Nathan Waugh
Mon 6 Dec	Red-throated Pipit, Eastern and Green-headed Yellow Wagtail Behind Woolworths, Western Australia With the aid of Adrian Boyle, George and Mark Swann are now satisfied that a Pipit that they have been watching for two days on the new sports ground behind Woolworths in Broome is a Red-throated. The three Australian records of this species have been within 2 km of this point. The bird is very flighty not allowing close approach. Sharing these ovals are 50/60 Yellow Wagtails of two species, Eastern and Green-headed (taivana). Adrian Boyle, George and Mark Swann per Mike Carter
	Eurasian Hobby, Watercock, Yellow Bittern, Large Hawk Cuckoo, possible Japanese Sparrowhawk Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Cocos-Keeling Islands Just received a phone call from Richard Baxter. His party has just joined a group led by David James who has been on Cocos (Keeling) Islands for a few days. David's group reports a Eurasian Hobby on Horsburgh Is and a Watercock on West. There is an obliging Yellow Bittern on West and Richard reports a Large Hawk Cuckoo and possible Japanese Sparrowhawk on West and the island residents report a large raptor! There is water from a recent cyclone everywhere. Richard Baxter, David James et al, per Mike Carter
Fri 3 Dec	Schrenck's Bittern Christmas Island, Christmas Island Richard Baxter reports observations of Schrenck's Bittern, Black-nest Swiftlet, Asian House Martin, Asian Koel and Peregrine Falcon, as well as lots of wagtails, waders, swifts. A strange pigeon / dove was photographed but not identified. Richard Baxter per Mike Carter
Sun 21 Nov	Semipalmated Plover Broome, Western Australia The long staying Semipalmated Plover at Broome, WA (first discovered in October 2009) has recently been found on the beach adjacent to the sewage ponds (described as between Town Beach and Demco Walkway). It was found by local Broome birdwatcher Clare Morton. In the last week or two it has been seen there on at least four occasions. Despite being present in Broome for over 12 months this is the first time the bird has been seen away from the fenced ponds compound. There are now potentially much better opportunities for close views and photographs. The birds recent movement coincides with the drying out of two of the larger ponds at the sewage farm. Clare Morton per Rohan Clarke
Fri 19 Nov	Inland Dotterel, Long-toed Stint, Pectoral Sandpiper, Ruff Lake McLarty near Mandurah, Western Australia Inland Dotterel on bare ground not far from the lake shore towards the southern end of the lake's eastern shore, primarily associating with Red-capped Plovers. Other waders of interest seen were; Banded Stilt (300+) Bar-tailed Godwit (3) Ruff (1) Red Knot (145+) Ruddy Turnstone (1) Pectoral Sandpiper (2+) Long-toed Stint (2) Pacific Golden Plover (4) Greater Sand Plover (1+) Also 1000s each of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, and Red-necked Stint, and a decent number of Red-capped Plovers. Wayne Merritt, Mark Newman, Robyn Pickering & John Graff
Mon 15 Nov	Yellow Bittern and Peregrine Falcon (race calidus) Christmas Island. , Christmas Island Also seen juvenile Peregrine Falcon race calidus - the Siberian race. Lisa Preston per Mike Carter
Thu 28 Oct	Grey-streaked and Dark-sided Flycatcher amongst many highlights ASHMORE 2010, Western Australia 92 species of bird identified (with another 'warbler' awaiting determination) indicate exceptional diversity. These included 34 seabirds, 28 shorebirds, 6 waterbirds and 21 landbirds. SEABIRD highlights included Abbott's Booby, Jouanin's Petrel, Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel, Lesser, Black and Common Noddy, Roseate Tern (30,000 roosting in the lagoon at the Lacepedes); SHOREBIRD highlights included Long-toed Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Asian Dowitcher; LANDBIRD highlights included Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Dark-sided Flycatcher, Arafura Fantail, Tiger Shrike, Middendorff's Warbler, Island Monarch, Arctic Warbler, Oriental Reed Warbler, Grey Wagtail, Collared Kingfisher, Oriental Cuckoo, Australian Koel, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Barn Swallow and Yellow White-eye. Photos of many of the species mentioned above have or will be posted on the web site listed in further information. Mike Carter, Rohan Clarke, George Swann et al per Tim Dolby
Fri 22 Oct	Tiger Shrike, Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Middendorff's Grasshopper Warbler Ashmore Reef, Western Australia Reports for the week ending 22 October. Other brilliant birds included Island Monarch, Arctic Warbler, Grey Wagtail. For further details see www.bird-o.com Simon Mustoe et al. as reported on birding-aus and bird-o via Rob Morris
Mon 6 Sep	Ringed/Semipalmated Plover and Semipalmated Plover Broome , Western Australia Hi All, A few minutes ago Adrian Boyle found a Ringed/Semipalmated Plover roosting with other shorebirds in Roebuck Bay near Broome WA. George Swann (Kimberley Birdwatching) has just checked the Broome Sewage Ponds and the long staying Semipalmated Plover is there so this is definitely a second individual. ID is still pending given somewhat distant views. Habitat might suggest Ringed over Semipalmated Plover - but then both the recent Tuross Heads (NSW) and Corner Inlet (Vic) Semipalmated Plovers were in estuarine habitat. Adrian Boyle and George Swann per Rohan Clarke
Mon 30 Aug	Red-necked Phalarope Lake Baghdad, Western Australia Red-necked Phalarope on Lake Baghdad, one of the salt lakes on Rottnest Island off Perth. Bill Rutherford per John Graff
Wed 18 Aug	Probably House Crow Wyndham, Western Australia Just heard from Adrian Boyle that there is a probable House Crow in Wyndham, NW WA. The bird has been there for a 'while' and has been seen around a cafe. (Adrian has not seen it and there no photos etc to confirm ID as yet). WA Department of Agriculture are apparently also looking for it - so if it is a House Crow it may not be around for much longer! Adrian Boyle per Rohan Clarke
Sun 8 Aug	Kerguelen Petrel Perth Pelagic, Western Australia A fly by Kerguelen seen briefly by a few observers. Distinctive body shape, bulky head, silvery underside to primaries and strange flight. The photo isn't great! Rob Morris
	Soft-plumaged Petrel Perth Pelagic, Western Australia Good numbers including an unusual intermediate phase bird (see photo) Rob Morris et al. on the Perth Pelagic out of Hilarys
Wed 21 Jul	Northern Pintail Erskine Lakes , Western Australia Adult female Northern Pintail at Erskine Lakes. [Moderator notes: Erskine Lakes are in Mandurah 80km south of Perth. When you are in Mandurah, go over the Mandurah Bypass bridge (over the Mandurah estuary) and take the 1st left: Sticks Boulevard, then take the first left again: Abbottswood pwy. Drive to the end of this road and the small lakes are visible on your right. The bird can also fly to another small lake just to the south of these lakes.] John Graff and Greg Howell per Alan Collins and Mike Carter
Tue 22 Jun	Semipalmated Plover Broome Sewage Works, Western Australia, Western Australia Semipalmated Plover is still present at the Broome Sewerage Works. Bill & Jack Moorhead
Mon 21 Jun	Elegant Parrot Skull Spings Road, Western Australia 2 Elegant Parrots were seen on the 19, 20, 21/06/10 along Skull Springs Rd in the same area that the Night Parrot was reported. One was a juvenile. Bill & Jack Moorhead, Richard & Damian Baxter
Sat 12 Jun	Elegant Parrot Skull Springs Road , Western Australia Skull Springs Road at 21 52 15S 120 48 29E, same site as reported potential Night Parrot. Frank Pierce and Janet Mattiske
Wed 2 Jun	Potential Night Parrot Skull Springs Road at 21 52 15S 120 48 29E, Western Australia I noticed the single bird fluttering next to the car, so stopped as soon as I could. It has perched a foot off the ground in a dead bush. I got my binoculars quickly only the bird, only 6-7m away. It then fluttered forward a meter or 2 to the ground and hopped once or twice, in front of me but turning it's face to observe me. The emerald back flecked with dark markings, short tail and very stocky build caused me to immediately dismiss Musk Lorikeet as an option (aside from the range). Largish head had a greyish/horn/black (slightly large) bill. A couple of centimeters larger than a Musk Lorikeet, it may have weighed twice as much due to it's large body. This bird resembled nothing else I had seen, and even with only 15-20sec (Bino) view of the bird, it is like no other parrot in the West or the whole of region. About 30-40seconds after I first spotted it it, flew/fluttered off into the spinifex, ignoring the tree about 25-30m away. I searched the spinifex for 15-20minutes but... Clive Curson per Margaret Alcorn
Mon 31 May	Potential Night Parrot Chichester Range, East Pilbara, Western Australia I've just returned from a 12-day fauna survey in the Chichester Range, about 200km north of Newman in the East Pilbara. On the 31st of May, 2010, David Marshall and I were driving through our project area to set up an Anabat at one of our sites. At 5:45pm (sunset was at 5:27pm), 3 fast-flying birds crossed our track about 5-10m in front of our car. They were roughly 1.5m above the ground. I hesitantly said "Night Parrots" and David agreed. The habitat in the direct vicinity consisted of a large mesa and rolling hills, with open Eucalyptus woodland and a spinifex ground cover. This site was the most productive in terms of bird diversity and abundance throughout the survey, most likely due to water availability. For example, a pair of Grey Falcons and 6 Ground Cuckoo-shrikes were observed at this location on May 28th. The birds in question appeared to be coming from a large eucalypt-lined watercourse at the base of the mesa, almost perfecting in line with 2 small pools of water in the creekbed. The direction they were heading was towards rolling hills dominated by spinifex, with very few trees (mainly Eucalyptus and dead shrubs). The shape of the birds (particularly the short large-ish head) instantly suggested a parrot. Unfortunately, the remaining light was behind them, so no colour could be determined, but the silhouette of the birds was clear. They had a very fast direct flight, with short powerful wing strokes, and 2 birds were observed banking (turning onto side and showing underside or upperside, similar to Rainbow Lorikeet) while keeping their line. I haven't had a chance to check HANZAB or other material to research flight pattern of Night Parrot, but the field guide we had (Simpson and Day) describes flight as 'quail-like'. The flight of the 3 birds didn't seem as fast as quail, and appeared more powerful. The wings were pointed and angled back in flight. The tail wasn't proportionally long. [Ed note: Clive Curson's report was 145 km NE. TD) Nigel Jackett and David Marshall
Sun 30 May	Possible Western Yellow Wagtail West Island Cocos-keeling Island, Cocos-Keeling Islands Australia's first Western Yellow Wagtail. Richard Baxter
Sat 29 May	Semipalmated Plover (update) Broome Sewage Works, Western Australia Semipalmated Plover is still present at the Broome Sewerage Works. Peter Struik & Toni Marsh (Wardens Broome Bird Observatory) per Tim Dolby
Sat 1 May	Semipalmated Plover Broome, Western Australia The Semipalmated Plover that has been present on and off in Broome, WA since October of last year continues to show well (it was still present on the 25th April). This is the first Australian record of this species. Rohan Clarke
Tue 16 Mar	Rufous Songlark Barrow Island, Western Australia First record of Rufous Songlark on Barrow Island. Nathan Waugh per Mike Cater
Mon 1 Mar	BLUE-WINGED PITTA, GREY WAGTAIL, WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN Christmas Is,, Christmas Island [Aside from Cinnamon Bittern below #12669] There have been a few interesting sightings on the island over the last week: BLUE-WINGED PITTA (R.I.P) - on Thursday, Damian and I were snorkeling near Thundercliff Cave and found a dead Blue-winged Pitta floating nearby - we retrieved the remains and photographed same - bird is currently in freezer at Parks Australia office; MALAY/JAPANESE NIGHT HERON - seen by Parks Australia staff at Egeria Point - the area is a quarantine zone with no public access (Tuesday); GREY WAGTAIL- 1 bird seen three days in a row at the garbage tip - not present for last three days; WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN - 1 bird seen at garbage tip; ORIENTAL CUCKOO - single bird seen by Ben Blewitt near The Dales car park; PEREGRINE FALCON - single bird seen by Ben Blewitt at Martin Point; JAVA SPARROW - 11 birds seen in Poon San. Per Richard Baxter
	Semipalmated Plover Broome, Western Australia The Plover has returned / decided to show itself again today. It was very close to the fence and I managed to get some more photos by standing on the dented roof of my car. Adrian Boyle
	Cinnamon Bittern Christmas Is, Christmas Island Richard Baxter photographed a Cinnamon Bittern on Christmas Island yesterday and again today. Richard Baxter per Mike Carter
Thu 25 Feb	Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Eastern Yellow Wagtail Tom South Lake near Cranbrooke, Western Australia Tom South Lake near Cranbrooke, north of Albany (WA). Last seen on the 22nd February, this bird is on the lakes system on Brickhouse Road, near Cranbrooke, north of Albany. The lakes are about 12km from the main highway, on the right hand side. There is also a road called Hamila Road nearby, that joins Brockhouse Road heading east. There is a little lake on the side of that road where there are numerous Yellow Wagtails. Steve Elson
Fri 19 Feb	Oriental Pratincole Roebuck Plains, Western Australia A minimum of 60,000 Oriental Pratincole's are currently feeding on Roebuck Plains along the highway to Port Headland. Adrian Boyle
Wed 17 Feb	Ringed Plover Finucane Island near Port Hedland, Western Australia Possible non-breeding Ringed Plover on Finucane Island near Port Hedland. Marieke would like to point out that 1. the Finucane Island site is not accessible to the public and; 2. the wetland is now completely inundated with runoff from an overflowing sump and no longer suitable for waders. He notes that there are mudflats all around the Finucane Island coastline with large numbers of of waders including Greater and Lesser Sand Plover - so the Ring Plover may well be in association with these species. Also at the Walkabout Hotel sewage ponds (Port Hedland) Star Finch and a family of Flock Bronzewing were seen daily. Marieke Weerheim per Tim Dolby
Sat 23 Jan	Hooded Pitta Barrow Island, Western Australia On 23rd January a Hooded Pitta was found dead about 100m from the ocean on Barrow Island, Western Australia. Per Nathan Waugh
Tue 19 Jan	Beach Stone-Curlew Thomas River Inlet Cape Arid Nat park WA, Western Australia Two observations were made over two days. The first observation was early evening 7:15 on the 19/1/10. The bird was on the shoreline of a closed inlet accessed from Shire camping ground, Cape Arid NP. The bird flew off after viewing. The second observation was at 10:10am, 20/1/10. Good lighting and at the same place. Bird moved in and out of cover along shoreline. Moderator's note: This bird was first reported by the ranger on the 24/01/2009 so has been present for at least a year. Clive Rosewarne, with Christine Schlesinger, Alexandra Rosewarne (1st to see bird) and Jonah Rosewar
Sun 17 Jan	Semipalmated Plover Broome Sewage works, Western Australia The bird has now been present for the last 3 days at the Broome Sewage works and was still present at around 1030 this morning (16th Jan). It favors the tops of the gravel bunds on west side of the sewage works but can also walk down off the bund to wander along the water's edge of the raised pond and has been defending a small 'territory' from a pair of Black Fronted Dotterel. If accepted this will be a first for Australia. There are also up to 7 snipe sp feeding in the grassy areas at the entrance to the sewage works and last week again photographic evidence was obtained to identify a Pin-tailed snipe. Per Nik Ward
Sat 16 Jan	Radjah Shelduck Bibra Lake , Western Australia Radjah Shelduck (1) Bibra Lake. Graham Armstrong per WA Recent Bird Sightings
Fri 1 Jan	Western Bristlebird Lake Seppings, Western Australia Seen on NE side of lake, in thicket, under small tree, peering from behind small rock. Colin T. Richardson
Mon 21 Dec	Nest Swiftlet spp. Port area, Broome, Western Australia Nest Swiftlet observed hawking over the Port area as Cyclone Laurence passed to the west of the town then tracked south-east. Nest swiftlets are incredibly difficult to identify. Nevertheless, given the rather square-tipped tail with a very weak notch, Black-nest Swiftlet would appear to be the most likely candidate. Broome Bird Observatory Wardens
Thu 17 Dec	Ringed Plover Broome Sewage Ponds, Broome, Western Australia Re-found today at the sewage ponds in Broome after being present in late October for about a week. No access to the ponds but it can viewed through the fence. Adrian Boyle, Matt Slaymaker
Tue 8 Dec	Asian House Martin, Red-Collared Dove, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Asian Koel Christmas Is, Christmas Island After three days on CI, we've seen 2 x Asian House Martin, 1 x Red-Collared Dove, 19 x Grey Wagtail, 3x Yellow Wagtails and 1 x Asian Koel. The most frustrating sighting was early on Sunday morning when Nigel Harland and I located a Schrenk's/Cinnamon type bittern sitting on top of the phosphate loader at Flying Fish Cove. After walking around a building to get closer, it was gone. We searched all day with no result. Richard Baxter, Nigel Harlanf et al
	Common Moorhen, Pin-tailed Snipe, Grey Wagtail, Saunders's Tern, W Reef Egret, Javan Pond Heron Cocos Is, Cocos-Keeling Islands During our week on Cocos we saw 2 x Common Moorhen, several Pin-tailed Snipe, 3 x Grey Wagtail, Saunder's Terns and Western Reef Egret and on our final day we had good views of Javan Pond Heron. Richard Baxter et al
Tue 1 Dec	Nordmann's Greenshank 80 Mile beach W.A. , Western Australia Nordmann's Greenshank on 80 Mile beach W.A. during a regular Shorebird count. Adrian Boyle
	Common Moorhen, White-breasted Waterhen Bechet Besar wetlands on West Island, Cocos-keeling Islands, Western Australia Two Common Moorhen feeding in the open at the back of the Bechet Besar wetlands on West Island, Cocos-keeling Islands. Also several White-breasted Waterhen and close views and good photos of Pin-tailed Snipe, a Grey Wagtail, three Common Greenshank and 20 Pacific Black Duck. Richard Baxter per Tim Dolby
Fri 27 Nov	Common Moorhen Cocos-Keeling Islands, Western Australia Peter Barrand reports an adult and immature Common Moorhen on Bechat Besar Swamp on West Island, Cocos. There was also of 7 Saunders's Terns, a Javan Pond Heron, 3 Grey Wagtails, 20 Barn Swallows and 1 Asian form of Dollarbird. Peter Barrand per Mike Carter
Sun 1 Nov	Possible Brown-headed Gull Sandbanks off the Gambanan campground, Cape Leveque, Western Australia Possible Brown-headed Gull (Larus brunnicephalus) using the low tide sandbanks off the Gambanan campground, Cape Leveque. On Google Earth the coords for my watching point were 16deg 25min 12.68, 123deg 01 min 24.67sec and the gull was at approx. 16 deg 25min, 123deg 01min 36sec. Good looks at it through a 20 - 45X scope. Jenny Spry per Tim Dolby
Sat 24 Oct	Little Ringed Plover, Eastern Yellow Wagtail Broome Sewerage Ponds , Western Australia It was in the western pond closest to Clementson St, which is drying out at the moment. Apparently the Eastern Yellow Wagtails are on the new oval near Woolworths, for anyone coming this way. Gary Wright
Fri 23 Oct	Eastern Yellow Wagtail Loreat Waters (Herdsman Lake) Perth, Western Australia Alan Galbraith reports that he saw the bird again yesterday afternoon. Found it in the open on the grass on Lakeside Drive opposite Mallen Way. Alan Galbraith per Frank O'Connor
Wed 7 Oct	Koel sp. Rottnest, Western Australia Noela Shepherd heard a Koel sp. calling at night on the 6th and 7th October in the Thomsons Bay settlement on Rottnest. Possibility exists that it might be Asian Koel rather than Eastern Koel (which only come as far south as Broome in WA). Noela Shepherd per Ron Johnstone and Frank O'Connor.
Sat 26 Sep	Abbott's Booby Shark Bay, Western Australia Possible Abbott's Booby. Stella Stewart-Wynne, Elizabeth Ellis
Sat 22 Aug	Princess Parrot Jupiter Well , Western Australia 12 Princess Parrot 4.3 km east of the Outstation communication tower, near Jupiter Well. Ann Lindsey, Margaret Cameron, Peter Phillips, Alan Stuart per Tim Dolby
Sun 26 Jul	Black Grasswren Little Merten Falls Mitchell Plateau WA, Western Australia Up to 10 birds were seen by 18 members on the Outback Track Tour to the Kimberley. My group saw 6 birds together at close range. Also seen at the campsite were Kimberley H/e, Partridge Pigeon (13) and a mix of other honeyeaters - Banded, Bar-breasted, Yellow-tinted, White-gaped and Rufous-throated. Max O'Sullivan
Fri 3 Jul	Dusky Warbler Christmad Is, Christmas Island Retrospective report from Christmas Island in the first week of May 2009 - a Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus was recorded, a species not previously reported on Australian territory. Ian McAllan per Mike Carter
Tue 30 Jun	Princess Parrot near Jupiter Well, Western Australia After searching for a full day on 25th June (when we had some rain) we found some Princess Parrots on the morning of 26th, 2.7km NNE of Jupiter Well, after Jon had first heard one several hundred metres north of the dune top we were on. We watched 6-8 for several minutes near 0930, then saw where they went to day roost. We left them alone, returning at 1500, just in time for them to break roost, where they accumulated in another Sand Dune Bloodwood. We had scope views here down to 20m for nearly half-an-hour of a flock of 12, even getting some reasonable digiscopes. They shot off strongly to the E at 1609. All these observation were within a short radius of 22 51 12.5 S, 126 36 17.9 E. Incredibly, at 0715 on the morning of 30th June we found a flock of eight Princess Parrots some 44km E of Jupiter Well. Watching them on and off for nearly half-an-hour feeding in several shrubs (later identified), the flock swelled to 21 by 0746, but then disappeared to the south, and could not be refound that morning despite extensive searching. We returned to the same area in the late afternoon, and had a pair fly strongly overhead going SE at 1611, but saw no more. We searched the same area the following morning, and a few kms to the east, but with no more sightings. All of these observations we in the area of 22 45 37.9 S, 126 58 11.6 E. Cheers, Jon and Anne King. Jon and Anne King
Mon 18 May	Striated Heron CI, Christmas Island A Striated Heron on Christmas Island today is a newtaxa to Australia. Striated Heron Butorides striata (also known as Green-backed Heron Ardeola striatus). This species has a world-wide distribution including Australia. There are 30 races or subspecies. The race I've seen on Christmas Island when I could determine subspecies (there are usually one or two around), is B. s. javanicus which breeds throughout SE Asia and the Greater Sundas just to the north of CI. I have not seen one that looks like your today's bird on CI or anywhere on mainland Australia where from two to five races are recognised. Your bird is very distinctive in two ways. The pattern of white stripes on the face, throat, foreneck and bend of wing and its substantial crest. Our birds don't have a substantial crest. These characters fit the race amurensis which breeds in Japan, Korea, and adjacent areas of China but winters in SE Asia. But the underparts of that race are grey like the upperparts whereas on your bird the underparts are buff. So I wonder whether it could be the race actophilus which breeds in southern China and also winters in SE Asia. I don't know what that race looks like but since its range abuts that of amurensis, I imagine they may share some characters. This is a new taxa for Australia so should be written up. So some better photos will be most useful. Lisa Preston per Mike Carter
Sun 17 May	FOREST WAGTAIL Blowholes Track, Christmas Island Lisa Preston on Christmas Island found one, maybe two, FOREST WAGTAIL on the Blowholes Track this afternoon (Sunday). This is the first record of this species for Australia. Lisa Preston per Richard Baxter
Tue 12 May	Citrine Wagtail Christmas Island, Christmas Island Lisa Preston has found another crippler on Christmas Island. A photo I just received is, in my opinion, a Citrine Wagtail. The bird, a female was photographed on 6 May. This could be the third for Australia and the first for Christmas Island. [Mike Carter] Lisa Preston per Mike Carter
Sat 9 May	Eurasian Curlew Richard's Point, Roebuck Bay, Western Australia Eurasian Curlew is still at Roebuck Bay near the Broome Bird Observatory. Richard Baxter per Inger Vandyke
Mon 4 May	Identified 'warbler' Noodle House, Christmas Island Latest news from Ian McAllan who is on CI now. He has found a yet to be identified 'warbler' calling near the noodle house. Not a Great, Clamorous or Pallas's and most likely something new for Australia. Also MACRONYX YELLOW WAGTAIL on CI. Per Richard Baxter
Sun 3 May	Javan Pond Heron, Asian Koel West Island, Cocos, Cocos-Keeling Islands The Javan Pond Heron found on West Island, Cocos earlier this year is still present and an Asian Koel is a recent report. per Mike Carter
	Chinese Pond Heron, Little Ringed Plover, Whiskered Tern LB3 on Christmas Is, Christmas Island A Chinese Pond Heron was found by Lisa Preston & Ian McAllan at LB3 on Christmas Island on 1 May and was still there yesterday. A Little Ringed Plover is reported from there 21-23 April. Of great interest is a WHISKERED TERN photographed by Lisa on Christmas Island on 30 April and still present. It is in transitional plumage and appears to me to be assuming breeding plumage. This could indicate that it is a northern hemisphere bird but the moulting times of our birds is variable and not well known. Northern hemisphere birds are of the nominate race hybridus whereas ours is javanicus which is a paler form. The CI bird is pale so that would not support that ID. In their non-breeding seasons both forms occur in Indonesia. Thus their ranges overlap but they don't occur there together. Our breeders are there May to September whereas the northern birds are there from October to May. Although suspected and might even be regular, the occurrence of the nominate race in Australia is not proven. Per Mike Carter
Tue 17 Feb	Nest Swiftlet spp, Franklin's Gull Broome Sewage Works , Western Australia A single Nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus spp.) was seen hawking over low trees adjacent to the Broome Sewage Works - and 2 birds at the same site on 16th. This follows on from a Nest Swiftlet reported by George Swann in Broome a little under a month ago. Franklins Gull is visible on one of the ponds inside the fence. Adrian Boyle per Rohan Clarke.
Sun 15 Feb	Franklin's Gull Broome sewage works, Western Australia Franklin's Gull at the Broome sewage works on Sunday 15th February. George Swann
Sat 14 Feb	Franklin's Gull Vasse Wonnerup Estuary , Western Australia Dejan Stojanovic
Wed 14 Jan	Possible Pintailed Snipe Lake McLarty, Western Australia A snipe sp. was seen at Lake McLarty WA, probably Pin-tailed. Mark Newman
Tue 6 Jan	Western Whipbird Fitzgerald River NP & Bremer Bay, Western Australia Western Whipbird seen at Fitzgerald River NP. Also seen Southern Scrub-robin, Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Elegant Parrot, Shy Heathwren, Hooded Plover. Western Whipbird, Shy Heathwren, Square-tailed Kite, Hooded Plover and Chestnut Teal also seen at Bremer Bay. Bruce Wedderburn
Sun 4 Jan	Possible Northern Pintail Lake McLarty, Western Australia Possible Northern Pintail at Lake McLarty Alan Collins
Fri 5 Dec	Blue Rock-Thrush, Asian Koel Home Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands., Cocos-Keeling Islands A Blue Rock-Thrush is near the jetty on Home Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands. An Asian Koel was also seen. Thanks Laurie for the photograph. Richard Baxter & Laurie Knight per Inger Vandyke
Wed 3 Dec	GREAT SHEARWATER Off the Murchison Canyon, Western Australia Treated to good but brief views of a passing GREAT SHEARWATER. Little Shearwater were observed almost daily. Daniel Mantle et al
Fri 7 Nov	Dark-sided Flycatcher Oceania House, Home Island, Cocos-Keeling Islands Muscicapa type Flycatcher, possibly Dark-sided (Muscicapa sibirica). The bird was quite settled between the garden and the lagoon. This bird will require a BARC submission. If proven, will be first accepted for Australia. Neville Pamment and Marj Pegler
Mon 27 Oct	Yellow Chat, Island Monarch, Arctic Warbler, White-eye (possibly Lemon-bellied), migrant seabirds. Ashmore Reef , Western Australia Highlights of a trip to Ashmore Reef included Yellow Chat, Brown Songlark (both surprising Australian endemic), Island Monarch (3rd Australian record) Arctic Warbler, Yellow White-eye (possibly Lemon-bellied White-eye Zosterops chloris), White-winged Triller (may be the Wallacean form, White-shouldered Triller split). Migrant Seabirds of note included 24 Tahiti Petrels, 29 Bulwer's Petrels, 10 Streaked Shearwaters, 31 Hutton's Shearwaters, 20 Wilson's Storm-Petrels, 50 Matsudaira's Storm-Petrels, 3 Arctic & 3 Long-tailed Jaegers. 7 Swinhoe's Storm-Petrels were seen, Red-necked Phalaropes at sea near Ashmore on 22nd. Also seen Oriental Cuckoo, White-tailed Tropicbird, Yellow Wagtail, Common Redshank, Red-footed Booby (breeding), Greater Frigatebird. (C) Island Monarch Richard Baxter Mike Carter et al.
Sat 18 Oct	Grey Wagtail 70 km East of Broome., Western Australia Feeding in the shallow water of a gravel pit on the side of the Hwy. It was seen by a number of participants present in Broome for the Ashmore Reef trip on the 19 Oct but was not seen subsequently. Very approachable and some nice photographs obtained. [PLEASE NOTE: on the 2 November Adrian Boyle and Luke Paterson found a second Grey Wagtail at Palmerston Sewage Ponds just south of Darwin. It was around for at least a couple of days. Luke Paterson reported yet another Grey Wagtail at Twin Falls in Kakadu on 5 October. It was still there on 7 Nov. Three Grey Wagtails reported from the mainland in as many weeks is probably unprecedented.] Rohan Clarke
Sun 14 Sep	Common Kingfisher Christmas Island, Western Australia Common Kingfisher seen Christmas Island in the Drumsite area. Initially reported as a possible Blue-banded Kingfisher. Per Max Orchard
Sun 6 Jul	Intermediate Egret Baldivis , Western Australia Ron Dibbens has photographed an Intermediate Egret in full breeding plumage along St Albans Road in Baldivis (UBD Map 448 H13) on 6th July. I don't know if it is still there. Intermediate Egrets are very rare in the south west. Ron Dibbens per Frank O'Connor
Fri 30 May	Dollarbird Mt Pleasant, Brentwood in Perth, Western Australia Valerie Hemsley has reported a Dollarbird today at Blue Gum Lake in Mt Mt Pleasant, Brentwood in Perth. This is the first record I know of in the south west of Western Australia. [Thanks John and Marcus Graff for the photo.] Valerie Hemsley per Frank O'Connor
Mon 19 May	Pictorella Mannikin Maitland River , Western Australia I was down at Marrie Pool on the Maitland River (About 30km Sth of Karratha) yesterday and found at least 4 Pictorella Mannikin there. I first observed a male and 3 female perched on a small bush calling. I also observed 2 birds down by the waters edge about 400m away. They were associated with large numbers of Painted Finch, Star Finch and Zebra Finch. All were in separate flocks, not too many mixed flocks. I have heard of Pictorella Mannikins from the Pilbara once before. However this is well outside the 'normal' range (800km Sth). Nathan Waugh
Fri 9 May	Tiger Shrike, Elegant Tern, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, Swiftlets (3 sp), House Swifts, AHM Various sites, Christmas Island A number of major rarities have been turning up in Christmas Island from 21st to 28th April after Cyclone Rosie. A summary of those seen include: TIGER SHRIKE, first live record for Australia, previous was found dead at Fremantle in WA (first seen by Jon Pridham); HOUSE SWIFT, first record for CI; EDIBLE-NEST SWIFTLET, ID certain but needs BARC submission; probable HIMALAYAN SWIFTLET, ID needs confirmation; possible MOSSY-NEST SWIFTLET, ID still needs work; possible SILVER-BACKED NEEDLETAIL, ID still needs lots of work; PALLAS'S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella certhiola (initial speculation was that it was a possible Manchurian Reed-warbler); probable ELEGANT TERN, ID still being worked on, but Lesser Crested Tern almost certainly ruled out; CATTLE EGRET, third record for CI; ASIAN HOUSE MARTIN, now seems to be regular on CI; LITTLE EGRET, Australian form; BARN SWALLOW; WOOD SANDPIPER; STRIATED HERON, Asian form; HORSFIELD'S BRONZE-CUCKOO, (2) first on CI since 1898; LESSER NODDY, up to 20 first seen February this year on CI; EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL; BRIDLED TERN, first record for CI; and SOOTY TERNS. [Thanks Dejan for the excellent photograph.] Jon Pridham, Dejan Stojanovic, Frank O'Connor, Mike Carter, Tony Palliser per Tim Dolby

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