Hi Martin and Mike,
Observations of diurnal migration in WTNJ do not necessarily preclude nocturnal
migration as well. When I was in Townsville migrating nightjars would sometimes
turn up in unusual or unexpected day roosts. The huge railway workshop sheds at
Stuart was one "regular" location. I flushed 1 from my chicken coup in a
suburban backyard one morning. Whilst I can't prove it, it seemed like they
were arriving at these locations during the night to roost by day, before
moving on. It appears that they are only passage migrants around Townsville
(and I think the entire NQ coastal lowlands), though I never recorded them in
migration flight, day or night. WTNJ should be back in SE Aust in numbers by
now.
David James,
Sydney
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________________________________
From: Mike Carter <>
To: martin cachard <>; birding-aus threads
<>
Sent: Saturday, 22 October 2011 4:23 PM
Subject: White-throated Nightjars on migration in Cairns
Very interesting as this sighting would possibly be nocturnal migration. In
Carter, M., & Bright, B. (2011), 'White-throated Nightjar: Diurnal Over-sea
Migration in a Nocturnal Bird' Australian Field Ornithology, 28; 32-37,
published in March this year we presented evidence for diurnal migration in
this species.
I suppose your birds could have just been arriving at their destination or
continuing their journey.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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