Lake Ellesmere 2021/2022

[Hypno]

would the gulls leaving early in what looked like a location waiting to flood be a good outcome?

[andrewcrossland]

In many cases yes, but the site has been a regular Breeding site for colonies of black-bills, white-fronted terns and caspian terns over the last 30 years or more. Mammalian predator control is easy and the site’s remoteness are all strong positives. Flooding, predation by black-backed gulls and deliberate human vandalism are risks.

[Adam C]

Well with the big Nor-West predicted I decided to check out Yarrs bay this morning as most of the birds around the lake will pack in there with a Nor-West.

On arrival were over 200 Godwit however before I could really go over them for flags, bands or a Black-tail/Hudwit-ness they decided the wind was getting waaaay too strong (as branches, cats and cows started flying overhead) and headed over to one of the pools between the L2 and Selwyn Hutts. As the wind picked up I had to lie flat on the ground and lie the scope flat to stop it and myself from blowing over even the Caspians and pied stilts stopped feeding and just hunkered down. Not a single wrybill or banded Dott in sight (probably hunkering down in a more sheltered spot but the Marsh Sandpiper did make a brief appearance and while I was lying flat on my tummy in the grass allowed a couple of record shots. As just pointed out by somebody more observant than myself on 'fakebook' with a Hybrid stilt

Also present were 300-400 Black Billed Gulls.

[FraserGurney]

15 golden plover at Embankment Road today, some with quite a lot of breeding plumage still on display. In the same area was a red knot, 13 godwit, 3 turnstone, 11 stint and 291 wrybill.

[Adam C]

Popped in at Jarvis Road this afternoon and worked my way around to Embankment. Not a lot to report other than 10 Golden Plover (which have been reported by Mr Gurney above already. 49 Godwit (all definitely Bar-Tails with no flags as got a good look at this bunch) 50 odd Wrybill and a few Dotts.

Absent was the Stint Gang but I'm sure they were close by.

[Adam C]

Great bunch of waders at Embankment Road this evening including a nicely coloured up Red-Necked Stint. Still no sandpipers, however.

121 Bar-Tailed Godwit
11 Ruddy Turnstones
4 Red Knot
3 Pacific Golden Plover
17 Red-Necked Stint
200+ Wrybill
30+ Banded Dotterel
+ usual suspects

[Adam C]

Did the rounds this morning .

Jarvis to Embankment, Nothing, Literally nothing other than swans and teal and 1 banded Dott.

Yarrs Bay was almost deserted too however across the far side of the bay were 16 Bar-Tailed Godwit and 15 Wrybill. Covered the next bay East of Yarrs too but just Pied Stilt and the odd Wrybill. All in all the Northside of the lake felt pretty deserted re migrant waders.

I then moved to the Southside (kaitorete spit) and went in at Coups (between the old Barn). At first, this too appeared to be devoid of waders however working to the West I eventually located a large flock of 153 Bar-Tailed Godwit with 16 Red Knot and 3 Turnstones. Definitely no Black Tails Among them and 99% sure no Hudwit. 7 wrybill and the odd banded dotterel also.

I then popped into Aggies (airstrip lagoon) which is all but dry other than the ditch where you first access it. Another large group of 97 Bar-Tailed Godwit here with a very large group of roosting Stilt in the long grass to the left so great to see over 250 Bar-tails for the morning.

By the sounds of things the few Peccs and Sharpies we get each year might be elsewhere although they may move to the lake as the season progresses. Not hard to think that Ellesmere isn't the food factory destination it once was for our less common migrants.

Hopefully a few start showing up before Xmas.

Adam

[FraserGurney]

At Wolfe's Road/Yarrs Bay this morning two sharp-tailed sandpipers were in attendance with a bunch of wrybill, banded dotterel, bar-tailed godwits and three ruddy turnstone.

[Adam C]

Nice walk from the road out to Coups Lagoon (The Old Sheds) at the start of Kaitorete Spit today with Fraser Gurney & Steve Attwood. Good numbers of Bar-Tailed Godwit (approx 80), 1 Turnstone and 2 Red Knot but by far the highlight were 8 Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper. A few appeared to have Pecc like chests from a distance but all were confirmed as Sharpies at close range. Great to see such a number altogether in these days of ever declining migrants. A very positive encounter!

[AngryBird45]

What's the best way to get to these places without a proper vehicle?