A pale non-breeding Great Knot was with godwit and Red Knot prior to a midday tide today, at Turanga Estuary, near Whitford. It consistently associated with the godwit and stayed a little apart from its congeners, each time the flock resettled after a harrier or low-flying aircraft put them up.
The bird looked decidedly lanky, with tibia showing, compared with the rotund knots ready for migration with legs showing only tarsus. This is my third record of Great Knot at this site - the others being 20 March 2000 (with some dark breeding colour) and 29 May 2006 (pale bird similar to today's).
A nice juxtaposition with 43 NZ Dotterel, which is a personal record count for 25 years' visiting this site.
Great Knot at Whitford, East Auckland
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- Adam C
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Re: Great Knot at Whitford, East Auckland
Nice find Bruce!
“Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.”
Samuel Ullman
Samuel Ullman
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Re: Great Knot at Whitford, East Auckland
Great knot seen today at the high tide. Clearly stood out compared to the other birds - Bruce's description summed it up perfectly.
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Re: Great Knot at Whitford, East Auckland
A record shot showing good comparison of size and bill length.
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Re: Great Knot at Whitford, East Auckland
Fabulous picture! Thanks.
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Re: Great Knot at Whitford, East Auckland
Great Knot seen again at Whitford this afternoon. Difficult to get close but captured this shot in flight.
- Adam C
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Re: Great Knot at Whitford, East Auckland
Nice to see some shots!
“Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.”
Samuel Ullman
Samuel Ullman
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Re: Great Knot at Whitford, East Auckland
Great Knot was showing well at 11. 00am this morning. I think it has a few more black spots across the breast than when Bruce first saw it but not full breeding plumage yet
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Re: Great Knot at Whitford, East Auckland
Could not find it on sunday