Possible/probable Asiatic Dowitcher

Bird sighting information. Use this forum to report bird sightings (especially rare and unusual birds), census and field count results, and trip reports. Messages posted to this forum will also be sent as a plain text email to the BIRDING-NZ newsgroup.
Grahame
Posts: 355
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2015 6:48 pm
Location: Ngatea
Contact:

Possible/probable Asiatic Dowitcher

Postby Grahame » Fri Oct 18, 2019 1:53 pm

The shore guide found the bird yesterday, but didn't know the bird. The bird was re-found this morning, but disappeared amongst the Bar-tailed Godwits roosting on the shell bank. Unfortunately three of us arrived just as it disappeared into the flock, but in three hours we were unable to find it. Both times, seen in front of the main hide.
The written noted description from yesterday was,
Heavy straight bill, pronounced white supercilium and dark cap. Size a little smaller than a male Bar-t G and appearing lighter in colour. Unlike the feeding method of the Godwits, it fed like a sewing machine. It was the bill size that first called attention to it followed by the distinctive feeding method.

Cheers, Grahame
User avatar
Neil Fitzgerald
Site Admin
Posts: 3637
Joined: Mon May 18, 2009 10:20 am
Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
Contact:

Re: Possible/probable Asiatic Dowitcher

Postby Neil Fitzgerald » Sat Oct 19, 2019 8:32 am

Hi Grahame, where is this, please? I presume Miranda but good if the thread stands alone without needing search of other threads, especially when read in the future.
Thanks
Grahame
Posts: 355
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2015 6:48 pm
Location: Ngatea
Contact:

Re: Possible/probable Asiatic Dowitcher

Postby Grahame » Sat Oct 19, 2019 2:43 pm

My apologies Neil,

Yes the bird is at Miranda and being seen from the main hide. It was first seen on Thursday and notes taken. It was found again on Friday an hour before high tide. It roosted on the shell bank with the Godwits which made it difficult for the four of us to re-find it. Three of us arrived just after the finder lost sight of it as she called the Shorebird Centre to report it.

Good luck all, I cannot make it today,

Grahame
User avatar
RussCannings
Posts: 1216
Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2014 5:23 am

Re: Possible/probable Asiatic Dowitcher

Postby RussCannings » Sat Oct 19, 2019 3:02 pm

Dave Howes and I spent around 3 hours (1.5 either side of HT) looking today (Sat). No dowitcher but unfortunately the godwits spent the whole time roosting on the shellbanks with very few foraging out in front to properly scrutinize (so could easily still be out there). 1 stint, 1 curlew sand, 1 turnstone, 3 whimbrel, 7 PGPs also seen, as well as 3 rail seen by the carpark.

Russ
Grahame
Posts: 355
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2015 6:48 pm
Location: Ngatea
Contact:

Re: Possible/probable Asiatic Dowitcher

Postby Grahame » Sun Oct 20, 2019 3:35 pm

Similar story again today, tide and heat haze against us. Just over 5 hours, with no sign. I do believe that its still there, just needs better conditions.
Cheers, Grahame

Return to “Bird Sightings and Alerts”