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Lord Howe in April

To: birding aus <>
Subject: Lord Howe in April
From: Lois j Piroch <>
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2003 10:06:15 +1000
Hello birders,
Just returned from Lord Howe Island where April proved an ideal month to see both summer & winter breeders, as follows :
PROVIDENCE PETREL - Easily seen, especially on Mt Gower, but was advised that late PM they congregate near Little Island & can sometimes be called down.
KERMADEC PETREL - Saw 5-6 near Ball's Pyramid. Most are dark faze.
BLACK-WINGED PETREL - Saw a few each day, usually PM at Ned's or Blinky beaches.
Apparently not the numbers of a few weeks earlier.
WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER - Easily seen after dark returning to burrows.
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER - Easily seen offshore following boats.
LITTLE SHEARWATER - Thanks to the kindness of Ian Hutton saw this bird [& Black-winged Petrel] after dark in burrows on the cliff above Blinky Beach.
WHITE-BELLIED STORM-PETREL - Saw 10-12 on sight-seeing trip to Ball's Pyramid, most on the return trip. Saw even more ,some extremely well, when I accompanied my partner on a fishing trip again out near the Pyramid. -She fished [Large Kingfish & Trumpeter] & I birded.
RED-TAILED TROPICBIRD - Easily seen especially from atop Malabar.
MASKED BOOBY _ Easily seen especially at the Pyramid & Muttonbird Point.
SOOTY TERN - Easily seen especially at North Bay .
COMMON NODDY -Easily seen especially at North Bay where close approach possible.
BLACK NODDY - As above, & readily comparable for size & colour to the Common Noddy.
GREY TERNLET - Abundant at the Pyramid. The technique for fishing is to locate a feeding party of these birds then drift through the area with baited lines - very effective,  6-7 fishermen taking 20-25 up to 18Kg Kingfish in a few hours.
WHITE TERN - Very easily seen, frequently at close quarters, around the settlement.
BUSH BIRDS - All very easily seen.
WADERS - About 10 species observed.
LORD HOWE WOODHEN - Little Island is THE spot - in the grove of palms immediately before the island just belt a couple of rocks together & out they come. "Choca's" a new cafe on Skyline Drive has a family very often in their garden. It was also suggested to try the Anglican Church grounds.
In short - great birding on a very picturesque, unspoiled, well maintained island offering interesting & challenging walks, excellent fishing, snorkelling & diving.
Highly recommend.
P.S. Definately no Macca"s or KFC, Disco's etc.,,
Regards
Geoff. Walker
03 9568 2909
0418 572 922
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