Possible Sanderling, Long Reef, Collaroy, Sydney

["Tom and Mandy Wilson" <>]

Hi All
very much on the spur of the moment when I saw what a great morning it was, 
I took a quick trip to Long Reef this morning, where I spent my time 
observing birds on the south (Dee Why) side of the reef.
The Wandering Tattler was present in its favoured spot in the jumbled rocks 
on the south side of the platform, and I saw it catch at least 2 small 
crabs.
Other birds seen were plenty of Ruddy Turnstones (I counted 20+), including 
15 in one group, 6 Golden Plover, 10 Sooty Oystercatchers and 3 Double 
Banded Dotterel, 3 Grey Tailed Tattlers and about 40 Red Necked Stints. 
Plus the usual collection of Terns, Silver Gulls, Cormorants and Ravens. 
Not much offshore (although the bright early sun made seawards observations 
tricky) - a few Wedge tailed and Fluttering-type Shearwaters and one far off 
Jaeger.
The coloured up Red Necked Stints that Mark Young reported have either moved 
on or I didn't see them this morning, as all the birds I saw were grey (but 
I spent no time on the north side or at the end of the reef).  However, 
moving between these and the Turnstones was a larger, pale grey bird, which 
was a much paler overall grey than the Stints and notably pale about the 
head and shoulders.  It showed no black rump and a broad white wing bar in 
flight.  It was a bit smaller than the Turnstones but bigger than the 
Stints, so I think it was a Sanderling.  However, there were two paragliders 
up on the top and every time one came round the edge the birds took flight 
and on one of these occasions the whole flock shifted into the rocky area 
and I didn't see this bird again, so I'd just put it down as a possible but 
worth looking for?  Not sure if they'd be inclined to hang around at Long 
Reef as it doesn't seem to be typical habitat or if it would find a nice 
beach so it can run up and down with waves!
Cheers
Tom Wilson 

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