Out of Area - Bar-shouldered Dove at South Durras

[Kim Farley via Canberrabirds <>]

Hi Rod, and all

Great bird, the Bar shouldered Dove. Modestly (but prettily) plumaged and with that call that is so evocative of northern Australia. I had a quick look at eBird and find there are records of the species all the way down the coast as far as Tathra. Records are somewhat clumped around places like Batemans Bay, Durras, Wallaga, Broulee and Tuross - likely reflecting the number of birders  rather than number of birds. Interestingly, Pizzey notes their range as only as far south as the Illawarra, but that they are increasing. Sure are.

Happy holidays

Kim

ACT eBird reviewer

On Mon, 13 Dec. 2021, 9:17 am Rods Gardening, <> wrote:

This may be of interest to folks travelling to the coast over Christmas.
While staying at Lakesea Caravan Park last week my wife heard the call of “that bird from up north” so I went to investigate and soon heard the call, and then saw, a Bar-shouldered Dove, not listed in the birds of Eurobodalla. I mentioned this to a friend also staying in the park who put me in touch with a former colleague Ian Mason. Ian confirmed that there were no records of the species in the Eurobodalla region. He did, however, admit he thought he had heard one during a recent visit to the area but was only able to see Spotted Doves at the time - and perhaps understandably doubted my sighting! And suggested I get a phot as proof!  Fat chance of that…. Now, from several trips up north I am very familiar with both the bird itself and it’s soothing call, so I 100% KNOW I saw it! Perhaps there will be some keen birders in the Durras area over the coming weeks who will be on the lookout and able to collaborate my sighting.

Also of interest were large flocks(up to 50 birds) of Topknot Pigeons, sighted in the tall trees on the North Durras side of the lake, and feeding in the heathland between the caravan park and the beach. And a couple of weeks ago I saw 12 Sooty Oystercatchers on the beach south of Moruya Heads, 6 of which were hopping about on one leg. I have never seen that number of these together before nor seen them behave that way.
Cheers
Rod

Sent from my iPad
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