By now I am sure that everyone has heard the wonderful news - that Banded Stilt
have had an extremely successful breeding event at Lake Torrens with Alex
Clarke, DENR Port Augusta, advising that over 200,000 chicks were produced. In
a visit to Lake Torrens on 8th July he reported seeing thousands of juvenile
stilts spread across the lake - either fully fledged or just about too. Very
few adult stilts were present. And that brings me to the challenge of the
moment - WHERE ARE THEY!!!!!
As Lake Torrens and Lake Eyre dry up, and the inland feeding grounds disappear,
it will be interesting to map the dispersal of this huge breeding flock, and
their offspring, as they return to non-breeding sites. Observers are asked to
carefully check flocks for immature birds - recognizable by their grey lores,
pale edges to the wing coverts (less obvious) and greyish legs. Do not be
surprised to see flocks with a high proportion of juveniles - in September 2000
Tony Russell reported on Birding Aus that a flock of 'hundreds and hundreds
(maybe thousands)' of Banded Stilt at Penrice Saltfields only had approx. 30%
adults. News of flagged birds is especially sought - with observers being
asked to make careful note of the configuration of any flags seen.
After the breeding event at Lake Eyre in 2000 Chris Baxter - with the help of
Birding Aus members - recorded sightings from as far afield as Alice Springs,
Woorinen Vic, Lake George SA, the Coorong and Tasmania. Where will they go
this time?
So, once again, Birding-Aus members are asked to contribute their observations.
Maureen Christie
(not sure which hat I am wearing on this - Australasian Wader Studies Group
member, Victorian Wader Studies Group member or Friends of Shorebirds SE
member, but whatever the hat, your observations will be most appreciated!)
***************************************
Ian Mitchener & Maureen Christie
Carpenter Rocks, 5291
08 87380014
Mobile 0427 380014
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