Gooday all,
I have been involved in monitoring wader numbers at Bowen Qld.
since 1984, first for the AWSG then from 1990 the QWSG.
I have spent many hours scanning for bands and leg flags and
wish to report my second sighting of a wader with a leg flag.
Today Tuesday 19 November, I had the pleasure of Phil and
Linda Cross (Count Coordinator QWSG) on my monthly wader count at Doherty
Creek-Dalrymple Point site.
While scanning a flock of Bar-tailed Godwits, Phil
spotted an orange flag on the upper right leg and a metal band on the lower
right leg of a Bar-tailed Godwit. The bird looked in good health and showed
no ill effects from the attachments other birds close by showed no aggression
towards the individual.
Details have been recorded and will be forwarded to the
appropriate contact.
The other leg flagged wader I sighted was a Red-necked Stint
at the Bowen Saltworks about 4 years ago.
Yesterday I conducted a count at the Bowen Saltworks and was a
little distressed to find an injured Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. No leg flag or
bands were observed on its legs and it is anyone's guess as to how it became
injured. Also during the count I came across 3 dead Aust. Pelicans, botulism
being the possible cause? No legless waders observed.
Jon Wren
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