Greetings all,
And even further updates! I had spent hours thrashing Paynesville on
Tuesday and Wednesday, with zero success. Upon arriving home tired and
dispirited on both of those days, I read of the delight of twitchers who
had seen the beast whilst I was no doubt on the the side of town. or
maybe having an ale. So it was with some trepidation I set off from Moe
again today, with hideous winds and torrential rain straight from the
Old Testament. That may be an appropriate analogy as I snared it within
10 seconds at the usual spot opposite the hardware store! It flew off
towards Raymond Island, and I thought that fleeting glimpse would have
to do. A pint of lager seemed appropriate, and after indulging I went
back to the carpark and there it was again! I was able to roll the car
to about 20 metres of it, and it actually came in closer - or maybe it
was the crumbs of the biscuits I was eating. I was pleased to see it was
no snob, happily devouring the proffered dollar-a-packet custard-cream
biscuit. It stayed there for the best part of an hour (maybe the car was
a windbreak), and was still there when I left at 4.45 pm. Friendly
little beast - I named him Buddy (for obvious reasons). In the end it
was a successful day, though I doubt I have driven in worse weather
conditions in 30 years of driving, and certainly haven't birded in such
a gale since the halcyon days of Cape Schanck in the late 70s. Thank to
all who have seen it for the info, and I would advise any Franklin-free
twitchers to give it a go, it seems quite settled.
Cheers
Geoff
t 3pm, On 1/11/2012 8:16 PM, Tim Bawden wrote:
Hi all A further update from today. Gull was seen in several locations around
Payneville despite the terrible weather. I made the decision yesterday to duck
down to Payneville and despite leaving later than I wanted I arrived around
10:00 am. Unfortunately on the way I obliterated a suicidal kangaroo at 100
km/h on the freeway near Longwarry... I must have driven this road several
hundred times in the past 20 years and have never even seen one there. The
gull was the first gull I saw in the previously mentioned location opposite the
hardware store seen from the road as I drove in... far too easy. As I arrived
the cold front hit with full force with crazy wind and rain. The gull was with
a group of cormorants and pelicans as also previosuly mentioned. After
observing for a couple of minutes from the shelter of the car it flew off east.
I followed along and relocated it with another group of cormorants and pelicans
at the far side of the Bight Slip Marina where I again obser
ve
d for around 10 minutes taking a couple of proof of life pics - the weather
precluding any better attempts. It then flew back to the original location
where it stayed briefly before flying over to the opposite bank on Raymond
Island where it would have been easily observable through a scope. Having now
seen the bird from all angles I headed off in search of food and better
weather. Being in the area, I dropped in at Mitchell River National Park on the
way home picking up some nice Victorian birds like Leaden Flycatcher,
Black-faced Monarch, Brown Gerygone etc. Unfortunately Park Road and Mitchell
Road are currently closed which are some of the best birding locations in the
park. thanks to all who have reported information on the gull and good luck to
those heading down on the weekend. CheersTim
> Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:12:51 -0700
From:
To: ; ; ;
CC: ;
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Update on Franklin Gull Please
Hi All,
Thank you for the info. I did see the bird& got a couple of dodgy photos!
I arrived at 7.30am after a 5 hour drive. Initially I was in the wrong spot,
there is a hardware opp. the ferry, south of the canal, which is south of the
large gravel area where the bird had been seen.
I spent the first few hours searching along the shoreline in both areas, i.e.
north& south of the small canal, in amongst all the yacht moorings& scanning
anything that flew by that looked like a gull or a tern.
After that I decided to jump on the ferry& go across the canal& check around
the shore of Raymond Island, still no luck.
Around 12.30 I came back to the original area outside the Hardware, on the gravel carpark.
While standing next to my car (on the phone to work!!) I had to hang up cause I saw a bird
coming towards me from the north, it looked gull-like but flight more tern-like very slightly.
I grabbed binos just as it passed but I got a glimpse of black on head. I also noticed on the
back its colour was slightly browner-silver than the silver of a silver gull,& the wings
seemed to be edged white on top. It was heading south so I jumped in the car& raced around
to the south of town, but could not see it from the car park to the left of the playground.
About 250 m to the south I saw a group of gulls around a car that looked like they were being
fed, so I raced over there. As I got near I noticed a single gull hanging back from the
others& it had a black head!! I pulled over near by, grabbed my camera& as I took my
first photo it took off. I managed 3-4 quick snaps
as it flew past, I grabbed binos& saw it from behind again as it flew back
towards the north. I spent 20 more minutes trying to locate it again but with no
luck. The group of gulls that were being fed were on a grassy area in front of a
craft centre, southwest of the main shopping area of town.
All up, I got about 15 secs view of the bird but it made the drive home very
sweet.
Thanks again to all who answered my request, particularly Tim, whose good oil
was very useful.
Good luck to all who chase the little beauty
Scott Ryan
________________________________
From: Geoff Price<>
To: Jenny Stiles<>; Scott
Ryan<>
Sent: Tuesday, 30 October 2012 9:11 PM
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Update on Franklin Gull Please
Thanks Jenny ...
I was there this morning, at the carpark - there was two Black
Cormorants, a few Little Black and Little Pied, two Pacific Gulls and a
Masked Lapwing. Looks like I was a minute too late ... :(
I may go back earlier on Thursday if I'm feeling lucky, so good luck
Scott if you go for it!
Geoff
On 30/10/2012 8:52 PM, Jenny Stiles wrote:
Hi Geoff& Scott,
There is a report& photo of the Franklin's Gull taken today at
Paynesville, so it apparently was there! the info given on Birdline is
"
The Franklin's Gull, reported on Saturday 27th of October, was still in
the same area at Paynesville this morning. It was near the boat ramp at
the south end of the large gravel hardstand area. The gull was in the
company of two cormorants, two Pacific Gulls and one Masked Lapwing.
John Hutchison "
Good luck in locating it,
> From Jenny Stiles
-----Original Message----- From: Geoff Price
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 8:40 PM
To: Scott Ryan
Cc: Aus
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Update on Franklin Gull Please
I went to look for it today - Tuesday - with zero luck. Spent all day
in
Paynesville, centering on the car park over the road from the Hardware
store, as well as checking every other gull I could find in the general
Paynesville area. The car park is on Slip Street, easy to find with
google maps.
If you happen to find it Scott, could you please post it here and I
will
look again on Thursday? Cheers.
Danged if I believe this wretched bird exists - dipped every time I've
looked.
Geoff
On 30/10/2012 7:56 AM, Scott Ryan wrote:
G'day Birding-Aus'ers,
I'm looking to drive down to Paynesville tomorrow& was hoping
somebody could post any up-to-date info on the Franklin Gull...
Where, when& who with would be very much appreciated
Thank you
Scott Ryan
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Geoff Price
21 Brownbill Street
Moe 3825
Phone: +61351263016
Mobile: +61400248159
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21 Brownbill Street
Moe 3825
Phone: +61351263016
Mobile: +61400248159
Email:
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