Hi all
I had a very ad hoc/unplanned trip to Sydney Olympic Park this morning (20
Feb). At the waterbird refuge there was a single possible Pectoral Sandpiper
that would be worth checking out. It was seen working in and out of the
samphire near the water's edge about 50m to the right of the hide. Views from
the hide were restricted to head only and it was best seen when looking back
across the front of the hide (a long way) from the path. Distinctive feature
was a very white belly with heavily marked breast and very distinct cut off
between the two, which was what made me think Pectoral. Legs yellowish. A pale
supercilium extended well beyond the eye and crown had no trace of chestnut.
When it stood straight, it looked "tall". No Sharpies on site for a size
comparison and no pics possible unfortunately (too far away and camera battery
discovered to be flat - that's what happens with ad hoc trips...). I have also
reported this in the NSW/ACT Birders Facebook site and I think there may be
others heading out tomorrow to check it out (hoping it's still there).
Also at the hide was a small covey of Brown Quail (saw 1, reckon 6 based on
locations of calls) in the long grass/scrub just to the right when looking out
of the hide. I didn't try to count the Red-necked Avocets but a good number of
them and several busy groups of Black-fronted Dotterels too. There have been 3
Australasian Shovelers reported recently, but I could not find them.
At nearby Mason Park, there were about 40 Sharpies (although they flew off and
headed away before I could count properly). The flew off up the canal, so may
have been heading for a site on Parramatta River or somewhere like that? There
is a lone Pink-eared Duck at that site too.
Cheers
Tom Wilson
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