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From: Roz Jessop [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 4:50 PM
To: VWSG Updates
Subject: Fw: Friends Shorebirds Newsletter 39
FRIENDS OF SHOREBIRDS, SE
NEWSLETTER No 39, June, 2008
27th May was a beautiful sunny autumn day. No turnstone at either Beachport
or Nora Creina. And the only beach that had any weed on it was super soft -
and so we got bogged! Ah well, at least we were able to dig ourselves out
without getting wet! And we managed to catch up with an old friend at Nora
Creina - a Sooty Oystercatcher banded as a three year old at Corner Inlet
in June 2002, and recorded tripping backwards and forwards between Nora
Creina and Gerloff Bay over the last few years! With no turnstone flags to
read, we also had a bit of time up our sleeves, so we visited the beaches of
Little Dip Conservation Park. No waders, but magnificent scenery and
deserted beaches.
With the Queen's Birthday Long Weekend looming, we confidently set out on
3rd June to check on the flock of 42 turnstone seen on the 13th May in the
Blackfellows Caves/Nene Valley area. Shock horror - no turnstone!
Highlight for the day was 5 pairs of Hooded Plover, plus a fledged juvenile.
There was also a mixed flock of 12 sub-adult kelp and Pacific Gulls. One
of each species had a metal band. Unfortunately we were unable to read any
of the numbers - what a pity that they don't have engraved flags! A Magpie
Goose appearing from behind the dune, and flying out to sea, was a rare
sight.
But time was running out for our planned catch on 9th June. Friday; small
flocks of Double-banded Plover, pairs of Hooded Plover, and not much else
Carpenter Rocks/Blackfellows Caves/Nene Valley area. A few 'smalls' at Port
MacDonnell, but no turnstone! Desperate times - so, out again Saturday.
Even fewer waders than the day before! So, there was nothing else for it -
the catch had to be cancelled! And this despite the promise of perhaps
fielding our largest, most experienced team ever!!!! Sincere apologies to
the Adelaide contingent who, I suspect, think we are out and out frauds, and
never really get to field a team!
So, Tuesday 10th. Where should we look? Believe it or not, last year we
found our first turnstone of the season on the 10th - not far west of
Piccaninnie Ponds. This beach is very difficult to access over winter - the
creek cuts across the track at the eastern end making access impossible, and
the beach to the west is of soft, deep, sand. But today the tide was low
for most of the day. The drive was uneventful - we were able to drive well
below the high tide mark on firm sand. Unfortunately, very few waders, and,
yet again, no turnstone!
Where to from here? Perhaps the mouth of the Glenelg river? As you drive
into the estuary car park, the first view that you see is of the sheltered
inland bay with its large sand bar. Ducks galore, small parties of
Double-banded Plover, stint, red-caps and Pied Oystercatchers. On the
marshy shoreline a roosting flock of Royal Spoonbill. By now the beautiful
day had become overcast with a brisk breeze. We chose a sheltered spot
looking out to sea, with the river winding its way between sandy shores and
sandbars. Not so many birds on this side of the estuary, but a couple of
oyks could be seen feeding in the middle distance. There were also some
small waders - turnstone! And yes, one had an orange flag. By following
the winding shoreline we managed to come out onto the main expanse of the
sandbar with dry feet! Circling around the sandbar, we put the sun behind
us - giving us a first class view of the small party of turnstone, plover
and oyks who were pulling long pod worms from the damp sand by the water's
edge. Feeding was concentrated in a relatively small area, with the sand
looking like a ploughed field! Whenever the turnstone were disturbed they
flew to a sandy area with scattered weed, but almost immediately started to
move back towards the worm patch. 10 turnstone with 5 engraved flags. All
flags read. All had been banded at Danger Point on 24th Feb - four as
juveniles. We greeted VR as an old friend - having already read the flag on
three occasions previously. First at Port MacDonnell, then latter the same
day, further east at Orwell Rocks. Then, some weeks later at Gerloff Bay -
in front of Lorraine's home. So juveniles at least are very mobile along
this stretch of coast! So, at least some of our missing youngsters have
been found - but where are the rest? ....
As is the way of these things, no sooner had I pressed the 'send' button
with the last newsletter, than there was an email from ChungYu in Taiwan.
Not just one engraved flag sighting, but a list! Three from SA, 1 from
Flinders in Victoria, and 1 from King Island. All seen Taiwan in May. One
of the SA birds had been banded in the same catch as the juveniles seen
recently in the Glenelg estuary.
News also continues to come in reporting Banded Stilt. They are being seen
on the eastern shore of the Coorong more often these days - although it is
still possible to drive through and not see them as they are either on the
western shore or tucked away out of sight behind an island. This report was
received 4th June: Have followed the Coorong/Stilt comments with interest.
Drove past there a couple of times two weeks ago. Calm weather, high water
levels and stilt smattered along the shoreline from Parnka Point turn-off to
3km sth of Villa Dei Yumpa. I hesitate to estimate the numbers, but at least
100,000 would be my 100km/hr drive-by guess. I was asked recently if it was
now too late for the Stilt to breed this year. My answer - 'who knows?'.
WINTER COUNT
Winter count time is just about upon us again. Much of Australia is being
counted on 5th July. Jeff thinks our tides are manageable that day - so, if
you can help, please get in touch with Jeff 87251202.
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED]; We would also be
interested in hearing if you have any area near you that you think would be
worth counting!
TUESDAY OUTINGS
We endeavour to go out most Tuesdays. A final decision on where to meet is
made Monday afternoon. Arrangements differ according to whether it is
planned to catch or to be making observations/counting. The usual procedure
is for you to ring me on landline the evening before so that you can be
told where the activity will be. If you are unable to contact me, try
either Jean 87255459 or Lorraine 87380131.
Don't forget to check out the Godwit -
<http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/shorebirds/barg_updates.html>
http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/shorebirds/barg_updates.html
Or the results of this year's Saemangeum monitoring -
<http://www.birdskorea.org/> http://www.birdskorea.org
Friends of the Parks Inc have an electronic newsletter - The Link. Issue no.
22 is now online
<http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/dehaa/volunteer_news.html>
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/dehaa/volunteer_news.html
Maureen Christie, Friends of Shorebirds, SE.
08 87380014, mobile (in the field only) 0427380014,
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED],
16th June, 2008
***************************************
Maureen Christie & Ian Mitchener
Carpenter Rocks, 5291
08 87380014
Mobile 0427 380014
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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