Following on from the sightings of the SIPO at Vic Point over the last
couple of weeks, I turned up on the esplanade a couple of hours before
full tide, equipped with binoculars, camera and a good book. Matt
Gilfidder turned up with a scope after a dozen pages.
The oystercatchers feed on the flats and progressively move towards
the shore of the rising tide. The SIPO was initially identifiable at
a distance of 50+ metres - it was noticeably smaller and had a longer
bill than the other oycs. The flock flew en masse to their mid tide
roost as Colin Reid and Rob Dougherty arrived. The stony patch is a
bit higher than the surrounding flats and the oycs sit within 10-20
metres of the footpath for an hour or two before flying off to their
high tide roosts (in the direction of the jetty / boat ramp today). A
passing shower pushed most of the twitchers off the roost, clearing
space for Andrew Stafford who arrived shortly after.
Seen at close quarters, the SIPO's wing feathers were highly worn, to
the point that the right wingbar was visible when the wing was
folded. The size difference with the neighbouring Oycs was similar to
the difference between Crested and Lesser Crested Terns and the
difference in bill shape was similar to difference between Marsh
Sandpipers and Common Greenshanks. The "lower legs" looked spindly in
comparison to the OZPOs and at times the eye ring appeared less
prominent. The SIPO did a fair bit of grooming, and showed off its
wingbar and underwing. Andrew noted that its stance was more
horizontal than that of the OZPOs.
Interestingly, there were at least three yellow flagged (Northern NSW)
OZPOs in the flock (I had 3 in one photo). One of them (N8) had
extremely pale plumage, with a number of a grey-white wing coverts.
As always, it was nice to have a reliable rarity (thanks to the
birders who found and reported it) and to catch up with fellow birders.
Regards, Laurie.
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