98.3% sure I saw a dabchick on Hamilton Lake on Tuesday. It was a little distant and the light not great, but I'm pretty sure. I will try to get back for another look, but if anyone else gets the chance it would be great to confirm it.
It was in the north east bay.
N
Dabchick, Lake Rotoroa/Hamilton Lake
- Neil Fitzgerald
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- David Riddell
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Re: Dabchick, Lake Rotoroa/Hamilton Lake
Could well be. I was at the Zealong Tea Estate near Gordonton on Monday, only about 10km from Hamilton Lake, and there were five dabchicks on their water reservoir pond. There were two there in October last year.
Just checked the Birds Waikato lake census for 13th May (June one would've been done last Sunday but results not in yet), no dabchicks seen then.
Just checked the Birds Waikato lake census for 13th May (June one would've been done last Sunday but results not in yet), no dabchicks seen then.
- Neil Fitzgerald
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Re: Dabchick, Lake Rotoroa/Hamilton Lake
David, good to know they are there, thanks.
I did a quick drive by of Hamilton Lake yesterday but couldn't find anything.
I did a quick drive by of Hamilton Lake yesterday but couldn't find anything.
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Re: Dabchick, Lake Rotoroa/Hamilton Lake
Saw 4 Dabchick last weekend on the Blenheim Treatment ponds.
- RussCannings
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Re: Dabchick, Lake Rotoroa/Hamilton Lake
Walked the full loop of the lake today. No sign of dabbies.
Russ C
Morrinsville, NZ
Russ C
Morrinsville, NZ
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Re: Dabchick, Lake Rotoroa/Hamilton Lake
Along the south side of Lake Rotoroa this morning i saw an adult and juvenile dabchick feeding around the raupo, its the first time i have seen any here.
Bob Rigter
- Neil Fitzgerald
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Re: Dabchick, Lake Rotoroa/Hamilton Lake
Awesome. Thanks Bob. Maybe I didn't imagine it. Whew!
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Re: Dabchick, Lake Rotoroa/Hamilton Lake
Was enjoying a Level 3 takeaway coffee at the northern end of the lake on Wednesday when a dabchick popped out of the reed beds. I notified Barry Friend who does the monthly census and he hadn't seen it, not having done a count in April - first month he's missed in 15 years. But there was an atlas count for 4 April that listed dabchick at Hamilton Lake, so it looks like it's been there a few weeks. Great to hear that they're breeding, Bob.
https://ebird.org/atlasnz/checklist/S66592811
https://ebird.org/atlasnz/checklist/S66592811
- RussCannings
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Re: Dabchick, Lake Rotoroa/Hamilton Lake
I assume this was an older 'juvenile' that arrived there post-summer though? (As opposed to a nesting pair at the lake that went undetected)
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Re: Dabchick, Lake Rotoroa/Hamilton Lake
I saw a dabchick on Hamilton Lake today. From looking at eBird reports it seems to be unusual here.