Andrew Silcocks & I spent from 4-11 January on CHRISTMAS ISLAND. Frank
O'Connor & Grant Penrhyn joined us there on 6th and Geoffrey Jones & Brian
Johnston arrived on the 8th. We saw a less than average total of 32 species but
all the endemics were seen well and photographed. Migrant & vagrant highlights
included a PEREGRINE of the Siberian race calidus, a SNIPE we claim on shape
and call to be a PIN-TAILED, up to 11 GREY WAGTAILS, 5 BARN SWALLOWS and an
ASIAN KOEL heard by MC. Further evidence that the Koels occurring on this
island are indeed Asian in origin has materialised in the form of photographs
of one seen in 2007. Also seen were single Intermediate Egrets and a
White-winged Black Tern, neither of which are commonly seen there. The chief
ranger, Max Orchard, asked us to identify a Snipe stored in his freezer that
died soon after being found alive on 9 December 2009. It was a SWINHOE'S SNIPE,
the first specimen of this species to be collected on the Island. This means
that it can no longer be assumed that any Snipe seen there is a Pin-tailed. The
often-elusive VARIABLE (CHRISTMAS ISLAND) GOSHAWK was seen almost daily and at
six different sites. ABBOTT'S BOOBIES can be hard to connect with and see well
but this time they were very evident. However, unluckily, we failed to find any
Java Sparrows. Judging from our experience and those conducting other
ornithological surveys in recent times, White-breasted Waterhen is now extinct
on Christmas Island, presumably the result of the proliferation in feral cats
that seems to advance unabated.
All the above moved to COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS for the period 11-15 January
where we were joined by Tony Palliser. Here we saw 32 species the highlights
being 14 SAUNDERS'S TERNS (many photographs), 2 WESTERN REEF EGRETS, 2
FORK-TAILED SWIFTS, 2 STRIATED HERONS, 2 GREY WAGTAILS, 28 BARN SWALLOWS and a
DOLLARBIRD of the N Asian race abundus. Also of note were 4 Bar-tailed Godwits,
1 Great Knot, 1 Red Knot, 6 Sanderlings, 2 Red-necked Stints & a Curlew
Sandpiper. The important introduced population of GREEN JUNGLEFOWL continues to
flourish on West Island. WHITE-BREASTED WATERHENS were seen on three islands
and are abundant on West Island where we counted 27 in a 20-minute drive. A
possible WATERCOCK could not be confirmed. Also disappointingly, we didn't get
a glimpse of our other target species following recent sightings, Common
Moorhen, Javan Pond Heron and Pin-tailed Snipe.
More detailed reports are available should anyone wish to see them.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
==============================www.birding-aus.org
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