The birds are starting to 'colour-up' in prepeartion for the migration
back north to the breeding grounds. On a wader survey on the 29th
January, I saw several Curlew Sandpipers had started coming into
breeding plumage. None were yet in full breeding plumage but there was
one that had at least two-thirds of the breast and belly coloured.
Regards,
Tania
>>> <> 7/02/05 12:59:36 >>>
A friend took a photo of a flock of waders near Geelong, Victoria
yesterday. When he looked (and digitally zoomed) the photos there was
a
full breeding Curlew Sandpiper amongst them.
The bird was totally red, and not just partially coloured.
Do Curlew Sandpipers breed this time of year in the northern hemishere,
and this bird has recently migrated? Or would the bird have 'coloured
up'
while in Australia?
Is it be possible that the unusual heavy rains this time of year
triggered
a breeding response in this bird?
Any comments appreciated.
Peter
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