Birdline South Australia Weekly Update

Birdline South Australia

Published sightings for the week ending 27 May 2012.

Sun 27 May	Caspian Tern Port River, Port Adelaide A single Caspian Tern flying upriver, seen from a dolphin-watching trip. Tony Keene
	Black Falcon, Peregrine Falcon Private Residence, Gawler East Black Falcon (1) Falcon-like screeching/cackling heard from far end of South Para River/Dead Man's Pass region. Black Falcon appeared, being pursued by two Peregrine Falcons. Flew over our side of Gawler East as Peregrines saw it off. Had views of what I believe may be same bird on far south end of Dead Man's Pass Reserve last weekend but no binoculars at hand - was also being driven off by another smaller raptor at the time Peregrine Falcon (2) Pair seen twice over Dead Man's Pass Reserve. First sighting around 1100 hrs. high on thermals through scope. Later witnessed as they were in pursuit of Black Falcon. David Hartland
Sat 26 May	Grey Grasswren South of Birdsville on the Birdsville Track Four birds were seen near a bend in the road and near a solitary small single tree. Able to get great observations but difficult to photograph. Albert & Eleanor Wright; Pam & John Land
Mon 21 May	Eyrean Grasswren Bollard's Lagoon Station 61km west Cameron Corner gate. Pair of birds observed 200 metres on south side the largest dune at that location. Enjoyed sitting on dead trees to sing. Single bird sighted only 50metres from the road on the north side.. darting between the canegrass. Sightings early to mid-afternoon and early morning the following day Albert & Eleanor Wright; Pam & John Land
	Black Falcon St Hallett Winery, Tanunda Black Falcon (1) Another Black Falcon today, this time lazily flying just above treetop height directly over the winery, it hung around for about two minutes then headed of in a westerly direction. This is the third BF sighting for me in the past three days... seems to have been a bit of an influx of this species around the cereal cropping country just north of Adelaide, probably due to the amount of paddock burning which has been happening in the last six weeks or so! Follow the smoke normally a pretty sure bet for finding this species! Chris Steeles
Sun 20 May	Salvin's Prion etc Port MacDonnell pelagic In addition to the species reported below by Rob Morris, there were 4 species of prions photographed: Fairy; Slender-billed; Antarctic; Salvin's. Pictured here is a salvini based on side profile which shows a deep bill at the base with a 'smile' at the gape, then an even sloping profile leading to a small maxillary unguis (upper mandible nail). The size and the small unguis typical of salvini. Note also the dark grey bill, which fits in for larger Salvin's as opposed to a light blue bill (typical of Antarctic). Was a great day with 22 species of Procellariformes sighted, including 7 species of albatross (Royal & Grey-headed not seen ((unless you count the hybrid albatross as half Grey-headed!)). Kevin Bartram
	Hybrid Albatross - possibly Black-browed x Grey-headed? Port MacDonnell Very similar to the Port Fairy bird in 2008. Interested in others thoughts Rob Morris
	Soft-plumaged Petrel Port MacDonnell 3 - 4 of these superb petrels on the trip yesterday. Rob Morris
	Light-mantled Sooty Albatross Port MacDonnell Excellent views on an adult today at times with a Sooty! This is a rare bird off SA. Rob Morris
	Sooty Albatross Port MacDonnell 3 birds seen today - coming right into the boat. Rob Morris

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