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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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