Hi again,
Too true that our recent Arctic Tern is a rare commodity around here not to
mention the tropical blow-ins that come through from time to time.
This highlights the fact that Newcastle is a transit location for a number of
species.
I'm expecting that someone from SE Qld, SW Aus, Cairns, or Broome for that
matter, will chime with a tern mix, possibly including Roseate, Bridled and
Lesser Crested to make up the numbers of an impressive tern score.
Regards,
Allan
On 02/12/2012, at 10:19 AM, Allan Richardson wrote:
> HI Guys,
>
> There is another tern hotspot and it's in Australia - Newcastle in fact -
> who'd a thunk it!
>
> Recently we had the privilege of having five tern species before us (Crested,
> Common, White-fronted, Little and Arctic) on the rock shelf behind Newcastle
> Ocean Baths, while just 20 minutes by road (5 km as the tern flies) at
> Stockton Sandspit, in the Hunter River estuary, we had a further 4 species
> (Caspian, Gull-billed, White-winged Black and Whiskered). A total of nine
> species easily viewable within an hour or so.
>
> Furthermore, just recently, we also had Sooty Tern on a pelagic trip off Port
> Stephens a little to the north, but we've also had White Tern earlier in the
> year and our waters, and the Newcastle rock shelf, is occasionally visited by
> Common Noddy.
>
> Late October was certainly an exceptional time for us, likely a function of
> birds moving through. Although, it does highlight the importance of east
> coast estuarine and rock-shelf habitats as important stopover points for
> migratory birds in our flyway.
>
> As many others seem to be voicing on our forums, we are finding our migratory
> bird habitats here in the Hunter are under increased pressure from the
> community at these sites, more often than not from a lack of information
> about their importance.
>
> It has been our challenge here to find solutions that will accommodate the
> birds while including the community, and I'm pleased to say that we have a
> tireless group here that are working toward doing just that.
>
> Happy terning,
>
> Allan Richardson
> Morisset NSW
>
> On 02/12/2012, at 9:00 AM, Steve wrote:
>
>> G'day Richard
>>
>> I immediately thought of Port Isabel, Texas where I had a great tern day a
>> few years ago. I've just checked and I saw only 6 tern species
>> (Gull-billed, Caspian Royal, Cabot's, Least and Forster's). Other tern
>> species are to be found there so I reckon it is a good candidate for a
>> global tern hotspot.
>>
>> I went on a boat with Scarlet Colley (http://www.fin2feather.com/) for a
>> three hour birding trip and we also saw such birds as Great Northern Loon,
>> Northern Crested Caracara, Long-billed Curlew, Willet, Dunlin, Laughing and
>> Ring-billed Gulls, Black Skimmer and Mangrove Warbler. Lots of dolphins
>> too.
>>
>> Cheers
>> Steve
>>
>>
>>
>> On 01/12/2012, at 10:30 PM, "Richard Nowotny" <>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> A big tern day at the Western Treatment Plant (Werribee, Vic) today (with
>>> John and Shirley Tongue and family):
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Caspian, Crested, Common, Whiskered, White-winged Black, Little, Fairy.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> [I suspect there aren't too many individual sites around the world where one
>>> can see 7 tern species in a day.]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Other good birds today included Great Knot, Pacific Golden Plover, Lewin's
>>> Rail, Banded Stilt, Banded Lapwing, White-necked Heron and that remarkable
>>> number of Freckled Duck at Walsh's Lagoon (estimated, on the wing, at well
>>> over 50).
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Richard Nowotny
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Port Melbourne, Victoria
>>>
>>> M: 0438 224 456
>>>
>>>
>>>
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