Shoalhaven estuary, 8/2/2000
I spent yesterday at the Shoalhaven estuary near Nowra (NSW).
The forest on Comerong Island was good, with plenty of summer migrants
still about, and quite a lot of young birds in evidence. Of note
was the number of Bar-shouldered Doves present, more than I have
ever seen there before.
The sand-flats, as the tide went down in the afternoon, were more difficult
owing to very strong onshore winds and driven sand, which endangered lenses.
But by setting up in the lee of a mangrove I managed to get first-rate
views of a Pectoral Sandpiper. Surprisingly there were no 'sharpies'
to be seen, so the Pectoral was loosely consorting with a group of Golden
Plover. I estimate there were in excess of 100 of the latter
present, though it was hard to cover the whole area in those conditions.
There were also a few Lesser Sand Plover and Red-capped Dotterel
about.
John Clifton-Everest
--
Associate Professor John M. Clifton-Everest
Department of Germanic Studies
University of Sydney
(61) (2) 9351 2262
Fax (61) (2) 9351 5318
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