The Gold Coast Bird Observers visited Hope Island today to check on the
Painted Snipe. They were easily found. How many are actually there is a
matter for conjecture.
Adult birds were seen on several occasions. Whether they were the same pair
moving about or a number of birds is not clear. There were three immatures
sighted today (two yesterday) and three or four fluffy chicks were seen
yesterday.
The site is easily accessed, in a public area and a telescope is not needed.
The male (or males) was seen walking in cleared land no more than thirty
metres from a group of frenzied birders. A magnificent female also posed
for five to ten minutes in a cleared area about 40 or fifty metres away.
The immatures were "strolling" along just in front (no more than 15 metres)
of a large group just moving on to keep the distance until they finally
flew. The chicks were seen from a distance of about 20 metres, yesterday,
but scrambled into long grass and disappeared before the exact number could
be determined.
There should have been photos available but the female was frightened off
just as the camera was being placed on the tripod and the close up male and
the immatures were seen after I had decided that I wasn't going to carry the
gear any longer and locked it in the car. I hate Murphy !!!
There seems to be plenty of water still left in the swampy area even with
the dry weather and a few showers should see it kept in its present
condition for some time. With the very young around, these birds should be
there for quite a while.
Terry Pacey
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
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