I was out photographing waders on the Thornside mudflats [Moreton Bay,
SEQ] on Sunday when I came across the following bird which may prove to
be of interest to some birders.
It was near a beached catamaran out from the mangroves on the "western"
side of the beach [firm silt] on Queens Esplanade, in association with
a couple of sand plovers [there were about a hundred greater & lesser
sands spread over the flats]. It was the middle of the day, with a
rising tide [still at least half out]. The birds were not particularly
active, and further down the beach, the terek sands were lying down on
the job.
I have four images of the bird in question from side on. It was a
mousy brown on top and clear white underneath. It appears to be more
slender than the adjacent lesser sand, with relatively long lemon-grey
legs. It had a relatively horizontal posture, with a more gently
curving head than the adjacent sand.
Of particular interest, it had a clear white neck ring running round
the back and a narrow neck/breast band running around the front. It
had a very pronounced long thick white supercilium that projected to
the back of its head. The white supercilium merged with a white
forehead and chin. It had brown ear coverts with a thin dark eye
stripe that did not extend to its slender black bill. Its primaries
appeared to be slightly longer than its tail, which was edged white.
I have posted three images on ozbirdpix, and the two responses I have
had to the pictures so far have both been "kentish" [eastern race].
I have googled some pictures off the net, and the jizz of this bird is
generally similar, bearing in mind that this bird is in non-breeding
plumage.
Brisbane-based birdwatchers may wish to check it out.
Regards, Laurie.
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