Miranda 2021

[Adam C]

Interesting re Curlew Sand. First one up north this year? Wonder if the Southland birds have moved up already? More likely another bird from a random little spot around the country though I guess.

[RussCannings]

Good question Adam,

I'm not sure how much birder traffic Miranda has gotten this season (I know I haven't had a chance to get up there for a while), so it's possible this guy could have flown under the radar among the knots. This would have been the first summer that one WASN'T around so that's great to hear it's there (though as you say, could be in passage or popping in from another regional spot).

Russ

[RussCannings]

Finally made it to Miranda (since early Jan I think?) and was pleased to get on the curlew dandy right away directly in front of the Stilt Hide amongst wrybill. A kotuku was lurking near the carpark and the 2 eastern curlews are still showing on the shellbank. That's about it for now.

Russ

[Liam Ballard]

Didn't see any curlew sand today (the stilt pools were empty at high tide) but did see the lesser sand amongst a hundred-odd Bandies in front of the main hide. Also the 2 curlew were present.

[philbattley]

Interesting - I had just 2-5 Bandies on Monday-Wednesday and only saw the LSP on Monday. There were also 2 Sharpies and 2 stints.

[RussCannings]

That is interesting Phil (and Liam)--hadn't heard of any stints at Miranda this season (Not that I've been looking/listening closely--though I have visited a few times this summer). When I was there on Saturday the bay was flooded and I didn't have time to wait for the falling tide unfortunately--thus I missed out on the plover action (Likely they were in the adjacent paddocks that day).

I think the tide was slightly higher on Saturday plus a strong northerly which always pushes it up a bit further.

Russ

[philbattley]

I mostly saw a single stint on the mud in the ponds - Nigel Milius saw two there. My one was never hard to find, being feeding on its own near other small birds. I am sure you would have seen it if it had been there when you were.

There were torrential downpours there on Wednesday and as I left on Thursday birds were flying around the paddocks near the Stilt Ponds. Could be they changed their habits with a bit of wetness around.

[Brent Stephenson]

Quick question - does anyone have photos of the lesser sand plover that is at Miranda this season. Just curious. If you can post here that would be great, otherwise feel free to send me an email.

Many thanks,

[wazzagonewild]

Hi Brent,

Here's a shot I took of the bird in November last year when it was hanging out at Ray's Rest.

IMG_20210308_152946_872.jpg (555.84 KiB) Viewed 1218 times

Cheers,

Warwick