The cattle egret were in the NW paddocks with cattle. As I trudged along, not expecting too much, I clumsily put them up and they flew towards the houses by the road - with the Glossy Glossy Ibis. Surprise surprise! I picked it out there with the cattle then txt'd Russ and Dave. Periodically lost it in a swale, then found it again when the cattle egret congregated on and around a water trough. Then the farmer entered the field and put them up again and they flew to the pig ponds. The egret circled around, didn't land, but left the Glossy Ibis there and they roosted in a tree in the middle of the farm. About then Dave arrived and drove over to where I was searching the pig ponds. With additional elevation from the tray of his Land Cruiser he picked it out and we had good views from 9:15am - 9:45am when we got hungry and went to Melbourne Cafe in Thames for breakfast. Fourth time lucky. Thanks for all your good tips, guys, and your map, Oscar. This place is a surprise.
There were 6 pigs there, plus Black Swans, Shoveler, Pied Stilt, Grey Teal, mallards, and Pukeko.
Phil, you were right about the high tide, the mud paddocks were a pond this morning. About 3:15pm yesterday afternoon or 0.75 tide there were Spoonbill, SIPO, Spur-winged Plover, a huge flock Pied Stilt, a Marsh Sandpiper (picked out by Ian Southey and Gillian, there were a mob of us), and White-faced Heron. Nothing except the resident Spoonbill and a few Pied Stilt and ducks this morning, and the mists rising from the river.
Glossy Ibis, Hauraki
- Les Feasey
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Re: Glossy Ibis, Hauraki
The Glossy Ibis is currently amongst the Cattle Egrets in a paddock about 500 m SW of Oscar’s pink flower.
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Re: Glossy Ibis, Hauraki
Glossy Ibis and 21 Cattle Egrets were both very active between paddocks with cattle and flooded areas for two hours this afternoon, giving excellent views both on land and flying.
Cheers,
Grahame
Cheers,
Grahame
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Re: Glossy Ibis, Hauraki
Marsh Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis, and Cattle Egrets all present yesterday.
The Marsh Sand was with Godwits Wrybill and Stilts in the flooded paddock and didn't show until it flew in with 57 Godwits half an hour after high tide. It was still there 2 hours later. 38 Spoonbill.
A Black-tailed Godwit has been seen here 2 or 3 months ago, but all Godwits were Bar-tailed yesterday
The Ibis was with the Cattle Egret flock in green paddocks at all times.
Phil Hammond
Wrybill Birding Tours NZ
Great birds. Real Birders
The Marsh Sand was with Godwits Wrybill and Stilts in the flooded paddock and didn't show until it flew in with 57 Godwits half an hour after high tide. It was still there 2 hours later. 38 Spoonbill.
A Black-tailed Godwit has been seen here 2 or 3 months ago, but all Godwits were Bar-tailed yesterday
The Ibis was with the Cattle Egret flock in green paddocks at all times.
Phil Hammond
Wrybill Birding Tours NZ
Great birds. Real Birders
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Re: Glossy Ibis, Hauraki
Still with the cattle egrets today.
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Re: Glossy Ibis, Hauraki
Marsh sandpiper today at low tide, and at least 16 cattle egrets.
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Re: Glossy Ibis, Hauraki
I was there yesterday through what was the smallest high tide of the month
The Marsh Sand was still there and PGPs have arrived but no sign of the Ibis or egrets
Bar-tailed Godwits-------980
Red Knots------------------29
Pacific Golden Plovers---22
Pied Stilts [inc' hybrids]--c320
SIPO-------------------------19
Caspian Terns--------------4
Royal Spoonbills-----------2
Marsh Sandpiper-----------1
Wrybill----------------------0 !
plus plenty of WF Herons, Masked Lapwings, Ducks etc all not counted
Phil Hammond
Wrybill Birding Tours NZ
Great Birds, Real Birders
The Marsh Sand was still there and PGPs have arrived but no sign of the Ibis or egrets
Bar-tailed Godwits-------980
Red Knots------------------29
Pacific Golden Plovers---22
Pied Stilts [inc' hybrids]--c320
SIPO-------------------------19
Caspian Terns--------------4
Royal Spoonbills-----------2
Marsh Sandpiper-----------1
Wrybill----------------------0 !
plus plenty of WF Herons, Masked Lapwings, Ducks etc all not counted
Phil Hammond
Wrybill Birding Tours NZ
Great Birds, Real Birders
- RussCannings
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Re: Glossy Ibis, Hauraki
Popped in briefly to the first flooded paddock adjacent to the river around low tide yesterday (Sat) afternoon. Marsh Sandpiper was present along with a surprisingly high number of stilts (2000ish). A single knot was feeding with 20 or so godwits which included a bonus Blacktailed.
Russ, Lisa, and 5weekold Alex
Russ, Lisa, and 5weekold Alex
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Re: Glossy Ibis, Hauraki
Glossy Ibis was foraging in the first flooded paddock close to the cycle track at 1.30 today
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Re: Glossy Ibis, Hauraki
This spot appears to continue to be fantastic. We visited on the rising tide yesterday and were treated to a good variety of waders.
1 glossy ibis,
2 sharptailed sandpipers,
3 different black tailed Godwits (all in one scope view!!)
6 Brown Teal,
29 Golden Plovers including some stunning juveniles,
30 Spoonbill
53 Wrybill,
50+ White faced Heron,
200+ Knots,
200+ Pied stilts,
200+ SIPO,
1000+ Bartailed godwits
Plus the usual waterfowl.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50996985
Phil Hammond messaged me later in the day to say that there were also six breeding plumage cattle egrets present, that weren’t showing when we were there so they’re certainly about. There’s also been the marsh sand piper seen there, and a far eastern Curlew made a single appearance earlier in the summer according to another friend.
So worth keeping an eye on the spot for anything unusual, a good spot for something like a greenshank, ruff or common sandpiper to show up on if you ask me...
1 glossy ibis,
2 sharptailed sandpipers,
3 different black tailed Godwits (all in one scope view!!)
6 Brown Teal,
29 Golden Plovers including some stunning juveniles,
30 Spoonbill
53 Wrybill,
50+ White faced Heron,
200+ Knots,
200+ Pied stilts,
200+ SIPO,
1000+ Bartailed godwits
Plus the usual waterfowl.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50996985
Phil Hammond messaged me later in the day to say that there were also six breeding plumage cattle egrets present, that weren’t showing when we were there so they’re certainly about. There’s also been the marsh sand piper seen there, and a far eastern Curlew made a single appearance earlier in the summer according to another friend.
So worth keeping an eye on the spot for anything unusual, a good spot for something like a greenshank, ruff or common sandpiper to show up on if you ask me...