I tell you more about the trip on my wordy blog - the post will be called Perimeter Walk - but for now I'll just post some of the birds I saw.
At this time of year the Islands were not over populated with birds - but we did find a rather splendid mixed flock of waders at one point. We normally don't get to see the waders in their breeding finery - they spend the summer with us, but head back north in our winter to breed. So most of the time while they are here they are in non-breeding plumage. (Of course its crazy to call it "winter" plumage as its our summer!)
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| Mixed Flock - Red Knot (centre), Great Knot, Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper (yellow / green legs) |
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| Red Knot, Ruddy Turnstone on LHS |
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| Sharp Tailed Sandpiper in front of Red Knot |
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| Bar Tailed Godwit |
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| Black-Winged and Banded Stilt. |
You can see that I have cropped these two images for effect. The second of these pictures is not the best in the world - but I have included it because it shows both Banded and Black Winged Stilt. The banded have an all white head and the adults have a chestnut breast band. The Black Winged have a black strip on the back of their head. There have been very few records of either species on the island and the Black Winged is a very unusual record.
There was a small flock (maybe 5) of Ruddy Turnstone at the back of the mixed wader flock - but they always stayed rather too far away.
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| Australian Pelican |
There were always pelicans to be seen - the island has a breeding colony at the right time of year. And as we were leaving a Welcome Swallow perched up to say see you later!
So, all in all a good day. And I still have a few pictures up my sleeve!
If you have not already done so, you may find a visit to my other blog to be a worthwhile way to pass a few minutes - people have said it's a good read.
But whatever you do dont forget to click the link below to join inWBW!
the red knot sure is pretty! i love the stilts.
ReplyDeleteA splendid series. Great photos in my opinion. You sure know your bird stuff.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful is that Australian pelican - the last Pelican I saw was in Hyde Park in London a fascinating bird - wader pics are good - Jane UK
ReplyDeleteThe little swallow is perfect! Many great captures of the waders, particularly the red knot, the pelican, and black-winged stilts. You had an awesome day for birding, it appears! Looking forward to more.
ReplyDeleteLove the last photo of the swallow... I have had a purple martin house for years, but have yet to have a martin move in. - The starlings seem to approve of the house though :(
ReplyDeleteWow Stewart, that mixed flock is huge! Covering the shore. Love the pelican in flight. (I was early for WBW this week as I am only doing one or two posts weekly, while I recover from my accident).
ReplyDeleteSo many birds you saw at the same time, interesting! But the pelican, wow, that one I really would like to see!
ReplyDeleteGreetings Pia
A productive day out.
ReplyDeleteGood to see so many waders. A grand place.
Those stilts were a nice find! The Red Knots are now following the egg-laying cycle of the Horseshoe Crabs and they migrate up our eastern coast. On Florida's Gulf Coast I saw one faded knot last week wearing a flag and bands that had been placed back in 2005.
ReplyDeleteLovely birds, most of which we don't see in my part of Canada.
ReplyDeleteGreat wader shots.
ReplyDeleteGreat images, Stewart, but I particularly like the Red Knot!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, interesting to study the details!
ReplyDeleteYou won't believe what I thought the first photo was. I thought I was seeing oysters! not birds! Very neat. It reminds me of "March of the Penguins" which we just saw this weekend on dvd when they huddled together to capture each other's warmth. Not sure what your birds are doing there though.
ReplyDeleteYou travel to some neat spots.
I am running out the door and just had enough time to post ... will be back later to comment on your pictures and other posts ... Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
What a brilliant selection of waders. From Findlay
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant selection of waders. From Findlay
ReplyDeleteVery interesting birds for sure! I love pelicans and have never seen one like that!
ReplyDeleteLove those black stilts and the pelican. All good shots Stewart, have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see the migratory waders from down your way and a very interesting mix of species in the flock.
ReplyDeleteThe Godwits always remind me of the wooden carved birds that nautical shops sell - I'd fill our house with them. Thought of you the other day, there was a Yorkshire tweet on twitter talking about the new perp (pope)!
ReplyDeleteA lovely selection of photos, enjoyed these very much. Thank you Stewart and thank you for stopping by. I have linked up.
ReplyDeletewhat fun, sounds like a great day. Love the mixed flocks.
ReplyDeleteI'd say that was a pretty good birding day indeed Stewart!
ReplyDeleteAlways wonderful images of your finds!
We should take a tip from nature and all learn how to get along. :)
Excellent collection of photos of the birds....the images of the red knot amongst all the rest is amazing...such wonderful natural camouflage.
ReplyDeleteLovely, as always! The Pelican might be my favorite today.. but it's a tough call. They're all great! Thanks for sharing your part of the world with us, and for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteAwesome birds and photos, Stewart! The Redknot and Turnstones really stand out in the mixed flock! Sounds like a great birding outing! I love the Pelican too but the Redknot is one of my favorites. Thanks for hosting, happy birding!
ReplyDeleteMy first here, hoping to learn the names of the birds. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTruly marvelous captures Stewart ... I love all of their muted tones :) My kind of colors :)
ReplyDeleteVery intresting post Stewart!I realy enjoyed seeing so much different birds!I like most the Australian pelican!!Great captures my friend!!Hope you have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteDimi..
Awesome shots of the pelican in flight, red knot and black winged and banded stilts. I'd say you had a fantastic day Stewart.
ReplyDeleteFantastic shots, Stewart! Some of them look like paintings (like the first three). Some wall material here for sure!
ReplyDeleteLove the pelican and the red knot! All of them are great!
ReplyDeleteInteresting shots of the waders...they really blend in with the terrain!!! And I love the Pelican in flight!!!
ReplyDeleteWell done!!!
Brilliant photos, my favourite is the Stilt, superb.
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart and thanks for your comment which made me laugh. I think I've created a McDonalds Seed Bar to fatten the finches. Good to see the mix of waders in your pictures, especially Sharp-tailed, something of a major rarity here of course. I love that name "Welcome Swallow", a week or so and we'll welcome them here if the weather warms up.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of beautiful birds. I sure do like that Pelican in flight!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots from that great site!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart....I loved this WBW post, especially the photo's of the huddled pile of waders, at a distance I think they would look like rocks : )!!
ReplyDeleteThe Australian Pelican, is a fabulous
shot!
I will be glad to see the Swallows return here in spring...well it is spring ,but we had 12 inches of snow yesterday :(!!
Grace
What a great collection of birds in one day. I love watching waders when I go to the beach.
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos, just joined your site. I love bird watching
ReplyDeleteLots of shore birds, and seeing the pelican is a treat. Thanks,
ReplyDeleteCool shots! The pelican in flight is awesome. But since I just love swallows, I have to say I am drawn to that photo the most.
ReplyDeleteShorebirds are so cool aren't they? I love those Red Knot shots you got Stewart.
ReplyDeleteGood to see the waders in colour for a change.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots!
ReplyDeleteLove that little swallow perched on the twig--he (or she) looks so dainty.
ReplyDeleteYou found some incredible birds to photograph! The first shots make the birds look like stones on the shore. Those sandpipers all lined up..wonderful! They are all delightful!
ReplyDeleteAlways interesting to see your captures. Like Jane, I am fascinated that you get to see pelicans. We saw one flock here, about four years ago. And like TexWis, I find those Red Knots very pretty.
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart - What a great group of waders. You really know your birds! I had to put out bird seeders just to get some pixs of some mourning doves and sparrows and finches. Not too much variety around here. BUT I saw three buzzards circling in a ring over the vacant lot across the street from my house -wish I had had my camera!
ReplyDeletewow, so many birds. It is amazing! I envy you.
ReplyDeleteSo many birds! So many pretty patterns of detail on them.
ReplyDeleteWell, I am finally back to take a look at your water birds. My goodness, I don't think there is one in the bunch that I have even heard of. Are these all strictly native to Mud Island? Or do you get them on the mainland too? All have beautiful coloring and the Black Winged and Banded Stilts are striking. I keep telling myself, I want to go to Australia and see what you see ... how blessed you are.
ReplyDeleteMy week has escaped me once again, and yet I shall try to rectify my missing out on posts. The waders are terrific and I LOVE the Swallow at the ending. I saw 2 Tree Swallows just yesterday...very nice!
ReplyDeleteAnother stunning post Stewart, really wish for some sunshine and blue sky here
ReplyDelete