Searchers today, (in excellent conditions), and on
Monday, (in atrocious conditions), failed to find the Dunlin or a look-alike
such as 'Cox's Sandpiper' at Peterborough in Victoria. The Hooded Plovers were
there, three, then four or more, on the seaward side of the bridge but their
companion of last Friday could not be found. Migrants on the lagoon
upstream of the bridge included Sharp-tailed Sandpipers (400+), Red-necked
Stints (400+), Curlew Sandpipers (5-6), Bar-tailed Godwits (4), Red Knot (2),
Whiskered Tern (100+) & White-winged Black Tern (1). These were mainly
along the first km of the western shore of the lagoon.
For those concerned about such matters, I
suppose it is possible that one in such a number may be contaminated
from Asian or northern Australian sources but doubt that any carry NZ germs.
Spare them, please!
Mike Carter 30 Canadian Bay Road Mt
Eliza VIC 3930 Ph: (03) 9787
7136 Email:
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