Possible Franklin's gull - Manukau Harbour

Post by **Neil Fitzgerald** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:48 am

Keep up the feeding for another few weeks please

Post by **Neil Fitzgerald** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:52 pm

From the newsgroup.

Bruce Shanks wrote:Was still at the pond in Walters Rd last evening 21/9/09 5.30 pm to 6 pm

Suzi · Post by **Suzi** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 8:52 pm

Just had a look at some wind maps online and the westerly has been hooning through in true roaring 40s style (Sept 1st +), so unless this Franklins has a hidden jet engine, it seems unlikely it came from the west coast of South America (where Franklins are seen migrating to in non-breeding plumage in the northern hemisphere winter. (Unless of course it has been travelling lost in that latitude for a while !) So maybe came across the Tasman from Aus - quite a few sightings of vagrant FGs there apparently. Island hopping writ global !?

I'll be chasing it tomoro in rain, hail, sleet or snow ! (Just a typical Auckland spring

Suzi

Suzi · Post by **Suzi** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 3:18 pm

The Franklin's Gull proved a bit elusive around midday today, until I found it sheltering from passing showers, down the southwest end of Bruce Pulman Park, on grass on the edge of a playing field near the houses that back onto the park.

It was very near the houses to begin with, but as the weather eased it walked out into the middle of the field, about 50m from the nearest gravel vehicle access. A welcome sight - nearer 1pm by then !

Thanks to those who first found it, for letting us know so quick, and to all those who have kept an eye on it since.

How long is it likely to take to complete its moult ? I guess once it has done so, it might be tempted to resume it's search for the Americas ?

Suzi

Suzi · Post by **Suzi** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:06 pm

And today I was down at Penrose, so nipped back down to Takanini and got some better pix of Frankie in the sunshine.

S/he was at the south end again to start, and then flew to the netball courts where s/he settled down on the warm tarmac and looked like s/he might snooze there most of the day.

Nice to meet you there, Gary.
Suzi

Suzi · Post by **Suzi** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 5:13 pm

Apparently Franklin's Gulls moult twice a year, in their spring and fall, so April/May and Sept/Oct.

Some views of Frankie from yesterday, Suzi

Suzi · Post by **Suzi** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 5:16 pm

On Netball Courts in moderate light yesterday.

Graham Saunders · Post by **Graham Saunders** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:23 am

No sign of it yesterday (26th September) evening at the aerodrome or Bruce thingummy park - from 5 pm to 6.30 pm.

bruce.shanks · Post by **bruce.shanks** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:59 pm

I have been interested in the discussion re the attraction or lack of that this bird has created within the local birding population.

I had heard about the bird from the first post, and was keenly aware of the needle in a hay-stack search that was being conducted by local South Auckland Birders, Particularly Phil Hammond our ubiquitous peripatetic roving ambassador . Reports at our South Auckland Branch of OSNZ monthly meeting.

Then first hand reports at Miranda Shorebird Centre last weekend. Where I was involved in Tutoring a Photography Course. I was "off-line" all weekend, and out of the loop.

The partial information I gleaned at Miranda, led me to call in at Bruce Pulman Park ( complete with Caravan ) on my way home to Manurewa. Unfortunatley the full info was available at home waiting for me just some 7 minutes away. I spent some time searching for groups of gulls. My search at 2.p.m. Monday last, was fruitless. A return at 5.30.p.m now armed with more helpful information, from the flurry of e-mails last weekend, enabled me to locate the bird within 15 seconds.

Many images in somewhat poor-light were taken, but this bird did not yet deserve a tick in my "twitcher's list" Full frame positive identification image

I vowed to return with the 600mm lens.

What with work, and weather, a fruitless visit on Tuesday night, was further frustrated by weather before or after work

Yesterday morning I left home in fine weather, only to find 7 minutes later at Papakura the weather had turned inclement.

A jaded "twitcher" draining a thermos had been having a frustrating morning. He had travelled from Orewa/Hibiscus Coast region, but undaunted was waiting expectantly.

Within 2 minutes I had located the bird feeding on worms in nearby fields, about 10.15 a.m. a few quick flashes on my head-lights, produced a keen ornithologist comlete with waterproof parka and scope, avidly & Intensely observing the bird.

From the comfort of my vehicle, and the help of a 400mm & 600mm lens in flat lighting, I have now included

Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) as a positive TICK.

See you at Keith's book launch this afternoon. I should be back at Papakura, the light is much better now.

Most of the time I am a behind the scenes "lurker" and twitching quietly with my camera, avoiding the crowds that jostle with scopes at the 100-200 metre range, I usually have to get at the 20-40 distance, to get full frame images, and so I travel as unobtrusively as possible.

Kindest regards, and great-experiences in your personal birding.

Bruce Shanks