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I first saw the Kentish Plover on
19/2/2002 but decided I would look again on 7/3/2002 when I had time
when up at Taree on business. Conditions on the beach have changed significantly
since the 19th.. We located the Kentish Plover on the 19th on a bank of shingle
about 20 metres south of the pink cup. This bank of shingle has now gone.
Possibly sand has washed in but there other banks of shingle in other areas of
the beach I didn't notice on my first visit.The high tide on the 7/3/ was at 5pm and was only 1.1 metres. This
left most of the sand island exposure and small plovers ( I couldn't get a ID
with my 20X scope with wrong light) continued to feed on the island. The only
birds on the beach were two male Red Capped Plovers and a solitary Pied
Oystercatcher and these birds continued to feed. On the 19th - The KP, Red Caps,
Mongolians, Double Bars Red-necked Stints and
Sanderlings were roosting.
This was extremely frustrating for Bill McLean. Ian MacCallum and Ted
Nixon who had been patrolling the area since 9am.
This may mean a change in strategy to see the KP, at least, until the next
full moon when the tides get higher.
Allan
Allan Benson
Niagara
Park
NSW
43627189
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