Hi Peter
Did you get any photos of the Oriental Plover?
I have never heard of anyone seeing this species even though Morcombe
says large numbers arrive in nth Aus. Are they more common than i
have thought in the north?
Cheers
Dave
On 10/10/2007, at 4:33 PM, Peter Marsh wrote:
Dear Birders,
My wife and I have just returned from a 15 day trip to Darwin,
Kakadu and the Kimberleys. The initial 13 days (23 Sept to 5
October) were on a guided trip with Klaus Uhlenhut and the last 2
on my own but greatly assisted by Darryel Binns.
In all some 200 species were seen. Highlights (for me at least)
were as follows :
Howard Springs
Rose-crowned Fruit-dove
Rainbow Pitta - a pair came in to a very short taped call and
stayed around providing excellent views
Buffalo Creek
An early morning stake out on a falling tide found the elusive
Chestnut Rail in the usual spot across the river from the boat
ramp. While the group waited for this species I scoped the wader
population on the beach to find a host of species including
Sanderling, but still returned in time for the rail!. Green Backed
Gerygone was found in the tres along the road into the boat ramp.
Pine Creek
Produced Hooded Parrot in the Water Garden in the middle of town as
well as a number of finch species.
Chinaman Creek, Katherine
This creek is some 16 Km along the Victoria Highway from Katherine
(Section 7.23 in Thomas and Thomas). There was quite a bit of water
still in the creek which reduced the significance of the pools
mentioned by T&T. Between the Highway and the old road we saw
Gouldian Finch (both red and black faced races with a number of
young) and Hooded Parrot.
Mataranka
We saw the Red Goshawk (presumably female) at Mataranka Cabins with
2 chicks covered in white down with a few pin feathers coming
through. Unfortunately we did not have time to wait for the male to
show.
Mary River Roadhouse
Northern Rosella were present in the trees behind the roadhouse.
Gunlom
An early start at Gunlom was productive of all we could hope for
except the White-throated Grasswren. White-lined Honeyeater was
seen in the trees at the top of the falls and further into the
valley we found Sandstone Shrike-thrush and Chestnut-quilled Rock-
pigeon. A number of flocks of Varied Lorikeet flew over.
Nourlangie Rock
Banded fruit-dove was seen from the lookout and then great views on
the rock art track when a couple of birds flew in and perched above
our heads.
Anbangbang Billabong
31 species were seen in an hour including Restless Flycatcher
(Paperbark form) feeding young.
Muriella Park
The red-eyed form of Partridge Pigeon was flushed on the road into
Muriella Park and one provided great views perched.
Yellow Waters Cruise
An afternoon cruise on Yellow Waters provided a feast of waterbirds
but not the hoped for rarities despite the best efforts of our
guide and driver.
Kununurra and Surrounds
A feast of finches were provided at Kununurra with
Yellow-rumped Mannikins
Long-tailed Finch
Masked Finch
Zebra Finch
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin
Crimson Finch
Star Finch
Double-barred Finch
and (on the last morning)
Pictorella Mannikin.
We saw no Gouldians in this area but did have a plethora of other
good birds. Among these was the Buff-sided Robin near the lakeside
caravan park.
Lake Argyle Cruise
A splendid morning was spent on the lake and provided sightings of
the White-quilled Rock-pigeon; great views of Oriental Plover and a
possible Long-toed Stint. This last bird was wading in deep black
mud at the edge of a low island adjacent a group of sharpies. To
all the world it looked like a miniture sharpie (slightly smaller
that a Red-kneed Dotterel). It had a streaked brown cap, wing
coverts with broad black centres and a longish slightly downturned
bill. There was little in the way of a white eyebrow and a speckled
band stretched across the chest. Unfortunately the legs looked
black - probably because of the mud but possibly because it was not
what I thought! There were more Yellow Chats than one could poke a
stick at on the same island.
Mitchell Plateau
Produced the Kimberley Honeyeater (to be split from the White-
lined) but unfortunately not the Black Grasswren. The BG was heard
but did not choose to show itself in the time we had available at
the site.
Lanyer STW
A trip to the Lanyer Sewerage Works with Darryel produced a couple
of Yellow Wagtails and a Little-ringed Plover.
Holmes Jungle
Daryel produced good sightings of both the Red-chested Button-quail
(in short grass) and Red-backed Button-quail (in longer grass and
reeds). I flushed both species the following day for others but
provided much less satisfactory views.
Many thanks to Klaus for a great trip and to Darryel for his
assistance in Darwin.
Regards
Peter Marsh
www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
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