Dear Birders,
The Grey Phalarope was present at the Leanyer STW in Darwin yesterday, 27
January between 1:00 and 2:30 pm. the bird was first seen feeding on the
spillway of the 3rd bund in from the Eastern side of the STW exactly where it
was reported on the 24th by Mick Jerram. Ti fed along the spillway for about 15
minutes with very occasional short flights to the surface of the 3rd bund and
back. It then returned to the water surface and spent about 10 minutes
splashing vigorously and preening itself. It then returned to the spillway and
settled down close to its LH end. After some time ~20 minutes it moved onto the
gravel on the RH side of the spillway and settled down to roost.
It was on the spillway with 2 or 3 Black-winged Stilts, a couple of Whistling
Ducks, 1 Radjah Shelduck and a wader that was most probably a Common Greenshank
(which was also feeding along the spillway). The only place from which the bird
was visible was along the Eastern fence of the STW. I definitely needed my
Swarovski 30x spotting scope to see the bird well enough to be sure of the
identification.
I approached the STW as suggested by Nick Leseberg in his posting. I parked at
the end of Hodgson Drive in Leanyer. There is an obvious dirt track going on
from a white gate across the road. follow this track between 2 phone towers and
past a couple of water filled depressions in the track which are easily
bypassed. The track then swings to the left and follows the inflow pipe for the
STW. When you reach the gate of the STW you are on the South fence, turn right
and then left to follow the East fence. The best viewing spot was just over
half way along this fence. For the record the track was essentially dry and
there was no mud to traverse. I put on insect repellant but saw and felt not a
single insect of any type. i was not attacked by wild dogs, crocodiles, irate
caretakers or even any wild women casting toxic nostrums! I enjoyed dry sunny
weather but there were showers shortly after I left.
Wonderful bird to see in Australia even if the sightings are a bit distant.
Regards
Peter Marsh
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