miranda today (2005-2020)

[Grahame]

No sign of Black tailed today, but three Sharpies at the south end of the stilt pools. A very nice full breeding plumage N Z Dotterel in front of the main hide for a short period.

[Grahame]

Before you all think I have gone crazy, I thought I had better explain the NZ Dot in breeding plumage. It was on its own in front of the hide facing us, fast asleep. We were all quite happy it was a Knot. Then it woke up and stretched showing its facial pattern, bill shape and size, and rear belly and under tail coverts all white, not a sign of black chevrons. Why, o why, was it in breeding/alternate plumage. I tried for 20 minutes to photograph it, but no joy, then all the birds were spooked and it was not seen again.

[Grahame]

Five Black-tailed Godwits again today, but the star bird was a Whimbrel. All in front of the hide

[Davidthomas]

Good to hear they're still around. Might have to pop in tomorrow or the day after after work.

[Liam Ballard]

Me, Michael and Joe went out today and saw EIGHT Black-tailed Godwits, a White Heron, a Whimbrel, lots of barwits, SIPOs, wrybill, all the usuals. Also saw a report of a Common Tern in the visitor booklet from a few days ago... confused overseas birder? No Aus Shelly though.

[Clinton9]

Eight black-tailed godwits in New Zealand ???

[David Lawrie]

the Common Tern has been around for a couple of weeks now, in fact there have been at least 2, seen by Tony Habraken, as they have different plumage patterns.
The best place to see them is at Kaiaua on the small shell bank just south of the Fish and Chip shop.
On Sunday afternoon Tony also saw an Arctic Tern there at the same time as one of the Common.
Tony's interest in that roost is that he is reading the band numbers of the White Fronted Terns, to try to find one over 20 years old. The best he has done so far are several from the cohort we banded 19 years ago!!!

[RussCannings]

Dang,

Saw (who I assume was) Tony there last Sunday but didn't pick out any non-WFTs from where I was standing. Will be extra careful next time now that I know there are 3 special ones about! Thanks for filling us in David.

Russ C
Cambridge, NZ

[David Lawrie]

Russ,
he said that they did come and go, so you might have been there during a go period.

[RussCannings]

Definitely seems to o be a likely spot for un(common) terns in the area. There was around 100 WFs but they were indeed coming and going. Some might have possibly been out of view from my angle. Hopefully the Comics stick around a bit longer.

Russ