Common sandpiper, Ōreti River Southland

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David Melville
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Re: Common sandpiper, Ōreti River Southland

Postby David Melville » Thu Jan 09, 2025 8:22 am

Great photo showing that the bird is in the final stages of primary moult. Please fill in an OSNZ Moult Card - download here: https://www.birdsnz.org.nz/wp-content/u ... Card_1.pdf

David
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sav
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Re: Common sandpiper, Ōreti River Southland

Postby sav » Thu Jan 09, 2025 1:34 pm

paradoxdinokipi wrote:Seen photos, conclusively Common Sandpiper.

Hi all,

I wonder if this comment means conclusively a Common as opposed to a Spotted Sand? One day we will have a Spotted Sandpiper here (perhaps we already have?) and all "Common" Sands should be scrutinised to make sure that they really are.

In this case I think that the photos really are good enough. The extent of the wing bar, and length of the tail are diagnostic - plus some other supporting features which are visible.

cheers
Sav Saville
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paradoxdinokipi
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Re: Common sandpiper, Ōreti River Southland

Postby paradoxdinokipi » Thu Jan 09, 2025 2:06 pm

Yeah it was just a quick post to say that it was indeed the reported Common Sand, but given how fast Saryu later posted it was unnecessary, I wouldn't call myself 'good' at iding the pair or anything but I did also consider when NZ could potentially get it's first Spotted Sand as they do migrate pretty far down South America and have made it at least to Hawaii... But tail-length seemed imo indicative of Common Sand.
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Michael Szabo
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Re: Common sandpiper, Ōreti River Southland

Postby Michael Szabo » Wed Jan 15, 2025 5:37 pm

Common Sandpiper seen again on the gravel bank by the SH99 bridge over the Oreti River in Southland yesterday by Sharon Roberts - see photos in her eBird checklist:
https://ebird.org/atlasnz/checklist/S209297105
My new book 'Wild Wellington' published by Te Papa Press is now available online: https://tepapastore.co.nz/products/wild ... o-o-te-ika
FraserGurney
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Re: Common sandpiper, Ōreti River Southland

Postby FraserGurney » Thu Jan 23, 2025 5:08 pm

Has anyone looked for this bird since Sharon Roberts on the 14th?
sjacques
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Re: Common sandpiper, Ōreti River Southland

Postby sjacques » Thu Jan 23, 2025 10:14 pm

Hi Fraser,

I saw the CS on the evening of the 15th having dipped three times previously at what is an easily accessible site right by the state highway. I've been surprised at how elusive the bird has been despite being apparently loyal to the same gravel bank throughout its stay. Being accustomed to common sand in Britain I'd expected it to spend more time in the open, calling and mobile within the river banks, behaviour of this bird led me to speculate whether the Eastern populations are more skulking in habit, that said I've never seen one on wintering grounds as such before.

On the 15th I thought I'd dipped again until a kayaker came down-river and seemingly flushed the bird from quite a distance, circled calling before landing out of view. Heard calling from cover again before emerging from under the willows to spend just a few minutes feeding at the edge of the main channel before flying again and returning whence it came.

Good luck,
Sean
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Re: Common sandpiper, Ōreti River Southland

Postby FraserGurney » Fri Jan 24, 2025 4:43 pm

Thanks Sean.

No sign of the common sand on the afternoon of Jan 24th or morning of Jan 25th.

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