Hi All,
A group of us returned from a seabird and shorebird research trip to
Ashmore Reef at the end of April. Atypical for April, we experienced
relatively hot settled weather when usually the monsoonal trough is
active in the region at this time of year. Despite the settled weather
we still managed to log a few nice rarities whilst at Ashmore and
elsewhere in the Browse Basin off north-west Western Australia. I've
posted images of most of these rarities at
http://www.pbase.com/wildlifeimages/vagrants
Best were:
Yellow-browed Warbler – A single observed on Ashmore on just one
morning. Following on from one in March at Ashmore (on the Kimberley
Birdwatching trip) this is the third record for Australia.
Pallas Grasshopper Warbler – A single observed on Ashmore on the same
morning as the Yellow-browed Warbler. The third record for Australia.
Unlike previous records we obtained some cracking views of this individual.
Tiger Shrike – Two different birds; an immature present for a few days
at Ashmore, then after it had departed an adult female at the same site
for just one afternoon. These are about the 6th and 7th records for
Australia.
Red-throated Pipit – an adult in breeding plumage that flew in, stayed
for less than 5 minutes then flew off the island to the north (in
company with a second unidentified pipit!!!). A long awaited first
record for Ashmore Reef (and about the 5th record for Australia).
Grey Wagtail - a nice adult male in near full breeding plumage on two
days at Ashmore.
Oriental Reed-Warbler - a single seen briefly and poorly on one evening
at Ashmore Reef.
White-breasted Waterhen - An adult on Ashmore Reef for 1 day was the
second record for the reef and the second Australian record away from
Christmas and Cocos Islands where there are established populations.
Jouanin's Petrel – More than 10 individuals logged at sea in the
vicinity of Ashmore Reef was our highest count ever.
Abbott's Booby – A single bird south of Browse Island was our first
record in waters less than 200 m deep. We've now logged more than 10 in
the basin across all trips but all previous records have been of birds
in pelagic (>200m) waters.
Kimberley Birdwatching will be running a birding tour to Ashmore for 8
days in late October 2014. As well as providing some exciting birding
opportunities these trips also contribute data to the ongoing bird
monitoring program at the reef.
For details visit http://www.kimberleybirdwatching.com.au/
Cheers,
Rohan Clarke
--
Rohan Clarke
www.wildlifeimages.com.au
Latest updates
http://www.pbase.com/wildlifeimages/root&view=recent
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