Pectoral Sandpiper at Bendigo, Vic.

[Chris Tzaros <>]

G,day birders,

On the morning of Saturday 13 January, 2001, I visited the Bendigo Mining
Evaporation Ponds at Woodvale, about 20 km north of Bendigo on the road
to Dingee and Mitiamo.  I have visited this site a few times of late
as the conditions there for waders are quite good, although I do have
some concerns as to the quality of the water.

I arrived at the site at approx. 0615 h.  After searching the first
large pond (at about 3/4 capacity with very shallow water and extensive
mud-flats on the western side), I turned my attention to the next large
shallow pond further west (similar water levels).  It was here,
whilst scoping along the western side that I located three Sandpipers,
from a distance of approx. 60 metres.  Instantly, I recognised that
2 birds looked the same, and one a little different in general colour and
appearance.  Because there is some vegetation along the western
bank, I was able to conceal myself and approach the birds even
closer.  From a distance of about 30-40 metres, I again scoped the
birds obtaining excellent views of all angles in full sun and part
shade.  The shade was provided by some dead Cassinia shrubs close to
the water.  The  three birds were feeding close to the water
line and in shallow water, occasionally standing upright and temporarily
resting.  I dentified two birds as Sharp-tailed
Sandpipers;  a species that I am relatively familiar with having
seen them several times previously.  The other bird was however,
much more exciting to me as I had never seen anything like it
before.  Using a combination of three field guides (Slater et al.
1992, Pizzey and Knight 1997 and Hayman et al. 1986), I identified the
'lone' wader to be a Pectoral Sandpiper.

All diagnostic features of this species were very clear on this specimen,
but most strikingly, the bold streaking down the chest before ending
abruptly on the breast.  This feature was noticeable when first
sighted at greater distance.  Other features were the much brighter
'yellow' legs on this bird and the pale 'yellow-green' colour at the base
of the beak.  As the bird was in such close association with the
Sharpies, they offered an excellent comparison.  Their legs were
much darker, almost olive-green, and their bills black.  The general
colour of the Sharpies was also more of a grey-brown, rather than the
pale brown of the Pectoral.

This is just the second record of the Pectoral Sandpiper for the Bendigo
district.  Previously, two were observed with Sharp-tailed
Sandpipers by John Berry and Ray Wallace at May Swamp, Bendigo Sewage
Farm, on 14/12/84.

Full list of species observed were:

Red-necked Avocets (3 nests with young - about 20 birds in total)
Black-winged Stilt (c. 30)
Hoary-headed Grebe
Little Pied Cormorant
Pacific Heron
White-faced Heron
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Royal Spoonbill (1 bird) (rare for the Bendigo district)
Yellow-billed Spoonbill
Black Swan
Australian Shelduck
Pacific Black Duck
Grey Teal
Pink-eared Duck
Hardhead
Black-tailed Native Hen (8)
Eurasian Coot
Masked Lapwing
Red-kneed Dotterel (16)
Red-capped Plover (18)
Black-fronted Plover (10)
Marsh Sandpiper (2)
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (2)
Pectoral Sandpiper (1)
Silver Gull (120 birds, at least 6 nests with young)
Galah
Musk Lorikeet
Purple-crowned Lorikeet
Cockatiel (2)
Singing Bushlark
Richard's Pipit
Welcome Swallow
Fairy Martin
Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike
Restless Flycatcher
Brown Songlark
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Noisy Miner
White-fronted Chat
Magpie-lark
Australian Magpie
Australian Raven

Cheers,

Chris Tzaros




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