Re: R.N.Phalaropes and Port Headland, during a Wader Studies Group
exercise with Clive Minton at the Salt Works, there was a flock of 53 in
October 2001. 23 were cannon netted and banded on 18th October without
incident. All were adults, 2 with breeding plumage remnants, and
returned to the ponds to continue feeding, spinning in circles.
Peny Drake-Brockman in dry and humid Gloucester ! NO RAIN
Hi Colin,
Red-necked Phalaropes are very scarce around Ashmore off north-west
Australia.
Over about 20 voyages we only have three records that I can think of;
- a single bird at sea very close to Ashmore
- two birds together very close to Ashmore
- a probable RN Phalarope seen by one participant at sea closer to
Broome
I know of a few other sightings including a handful between Darwin and
Ashmore but haven't heard of large flocks in these areas.
Most of the activity seems to be concentrated just to the north in
Indonesian waters consistent with the nice summary you were able to
provide.
Port Headland salt works, WA seems to be the most regular site for the
species in Australia with counts of more than 10 in multiple years and
at least one count of 24. I also vaguely recall a report of a flock at
sea off the WA coast in this same general area but can't find details
at the minute.
Cheers,
Rohan
Phalaropes winter in reasonable numbers at least in the seas around
Timor, Alor
and Flores, only 700-1,000 km off Darwin.
It would be interesting to know how common they are south of Timor,
like around
Ashmore Reef (Rohan, Mike?)
Colin
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