BirdingNZ.net

I thought I'd start a new thread for this well-known location for this wader season so that all updates from here can be in one place.

I visited this morning. It was a bit cold, but the sun was shining, and most importantly, there were lots of birds.

Highlights along with all the usual species were:
1 marsh sandpiper (with stilts, continuing from the weekend)
1 sharptailed sandpiper (with wrybill)
2 red-necked stints
42 bar-tailed godwits (most likely overwintering as no signs of recent arrival from migration)
50 wrybill
12 banded dotterel

The Marsh Sandpiper was amongst Pied Stilts at the head of Greenpark Lagoon, about 300m east of Jarvis Road at dusk this evening.

The marsh sandpiper was still present this morning. At the Clarke’s road eBird hotspot. There was a single moulting sharptailed sandpiper near the fenceline at embankment road along with two red necked stints and assorted other Birds.

Mike Ashbee reported a non breeding little Tern this morning at embankment road. Flew across the wet area right by the Fenceline. Will add more info if I receive it.

Here is an image of the Little Tern seen this AM at Enbankment rd. Headed toward Wolfes rd but as you know could be anywhere at this point. Worth a look for sure as you never know what else you may turn up.
Cheers,
Mike Ashbee

Dam that's a big one on my hit list! Same one reported by Andrew a month or so back probably. Might stick around for a bit but bet it moves about the lake Forsyth, Ellesmete catchment a bit. Going to need some frequent visits and a dose of luck! Great shot Mike.

Hi all. Good views of Kieran Rowe's Marsh Sandpiper at Embankment Road this morning with Jack in tow. Also present were 2 Sharp Tailed Sandpiper and a lone Stint. No sign of the Little tern but know that one is going to be a case of persistence over the season and a dose of luck!. 60+ BT Godwit in 2 seperate pods of around 30 each.

Marshie was distant so tricky to photograph but a hodgepodge of some fuzzy pics attached for the record. One more new tick for Jack!

The lone Marsh Sandpiper was present at Embankment Rd this morning around 11, feeding with some Pied Stilts. It was quite distant, so couldn't get a good photo.

Not a lot to report at Embankment road wader wise this morning other than a good group of 25+ Stints. A couple still carrying quite strong remnants of breeding colours (shown in attached photo) so possibly fresh arrivals.

Lake has dropped considerably and most birds looked to be down the Jarvis road end so maybe worth a visit! There was a vehicle parked in front of me when I got there so maybe this crew saw more than I did!

However as posted before the Little Tern was there this morning so very happy to add that one to my life list! Very distinctive in flight compared to BF or White Fronted. Very cool to see!

However it was roosting with Spur Winged Plovers which spooked very early. I followed it with Binoculars as it flew towards Wolfs Road however it the did me the honour of circling back and landing back at the base of the Embankment road fence line again. I got to within about 300 yards and just managed a few pics before it lifted off again.

One happy birder with the Little Stint and Little Tern added to my life list this week!

Stunning evening at Embankment this evening.

Little Stint present along with 41 other black legged Stints. Prob all RNS. 2x Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Marsh Sandpiper, 40+ Bar Tailed Godwit and 5x Red Knot along with all the other usual suspects No sign of the Sharp tail that has been here recently. Finally managed a nice snap of the Little Stint attached. Also a rather odd Godwit with a slightly shorter bill and slightly smaller size which I am going to scrutinise photos of later.