Hi Everyone,
Caloundra is in South-East Qld, about 90km north of Brisbane.
On Thursday at sundown I watched thousands of terns coming in to roost
for the evening on the intertidal sandbanks opposite Golden Beach in
the Pumicestone Passage. I was on the mainland.
My attempt to assess the species and number was hampered by a northerly
wind blowing at about 15kt, but it was possible to get some guage of
what was there. The shorebirds were just too hard, as they were just
brown blobs shaking up and down in the scope. At least I was able to
view the birds side-on, and work out what proportion of tern species I
had in the flock. I estimated 60% Common Tern and 40% White-winged
Black Tern, with some Littles present, and a few Cresteds. I was able
to pick out a few young White-wings, but I wouldn't dare to estimate
their numbers. I had the scope on 60x zoom at times, so distant was the
flock. I never use 60x, as most of the time it is useless.
White-winged Terns: 3700
Common Terns: 4000
Crested Terns: 150
Little Terns: at least 50, but in the distance, who knows
how many?
The numbers above are very rubbery, but are not exaggerated. Because of
the northerly wind, the migrants were flying in from south up the
Passage like a flowing river, and by the time I left there would have
been many more present than I have estimated. By golly I was so excited, I just wanted to hug
myself. This is the first decent flock I have seen in a while.
I have no idea whether the birds will continue to roost in Caloundra,
or whether they will move on. They do move about quite a bit, depending
on where the bait fish are.
Cheers,
Jill
--
Jill Dening
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
26° 51' 41"S 152° 56' 00"E
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