Identifying small shorebirds still takes me a little while. It took me some time to realise that there were three species among the dozen or so birds I was observing at Yambuk recently. The cogs turn slowly …. "Red-capped plovers (easy) .… and I think a single Red-necked stint …. but what is that other slightly larger plover I haven't seen here before?" (context is everything)
Subsequently Double-banded plover was readily confirmed and I will now be more confident when I next come across these guys having spent some time observing on them on this occasion!
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| Double-banded plover, Yambuk estuary, Vic |
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| DBP with Red-necked stint and Red-capped plover at rear. |
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| 1-2 birds only per lump of seaweed please! |
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| Red-capped plovers with stint |
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| Typical Southern Ocean "breeze" - wind-blown sand and sea spray affecting visibility. I often remind myself that the birds live in these conditions 24/7. |
The walk back to the car park can be either along the beach or the raised dune has a fenced nature trail. This affords views across Yambuk Lake (Great egret, pelican, cormorant species, Royal spoonbill and Musk duck). The coastal scrub provides habitat for species other than shorebirds...
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| The call of the Singing honeyeater has a slightly musical note at times but it does not "sing"! |
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| Silvereyes look to be catching the late afternoon sunshine |
Bird on!
Without a doubt shorebirds are one of the most difficult families to positively identify with certainty at times. I guess the old adage is true. Practice makes perfect. I find that getting to know foraging strategies helps quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely David! I will study those foraging behaviours more closely!
DeleteI saw DBP's for the first time the other wkd at Observation Point. Although it wasn't until I got home and looked at them on the computer that I realised I was looking at a different species!
ReplyDeleteIf that's Obsie Point Phillip Island then I've seen them there as well and had a similiar experience! I'm finding them such an interesting bird.
DeleteThe time of year you see a bird can also help with identification. Some nice shots there.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! And the DBPs have such a unique migration pattern - I'm really starting to get a feel for them!
DeleteLove the ones with all 3 in the frame Pete. Well done with the ID of the DBP. Northerlies earlier in the year and now southerlies, no wonder they have the wind farm there! R
ReplyDeleteGreat series of shots. Beautiful birds and love the coastline shot.
ReplyDeleteThe coast is beautiful and I love the shore birds.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures of the waders in their environment, Pete. Identifying birds is like learning a language. The problem is if you change your environment you forget what was learned. Well I have anyhow. I learned a lot about waders visiting Altona back in the 90s back now I look at wader pictures and draw a blank despite their beauty. This looks like a great place to visit.
ReplyDeleteLovely series of captures.
ReplyDeleteGreat set of pictures - like the DBP - I have no pictures of that species. I was told recently that the way to start ID waders in our neck of the woods is to first check that its not a Red-Necked Stint, a Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper or a Curlew Sandpiper first - and in the majority of cases you can stop there as most of your waders are one of these 3! Not really true in a beach, but I like it as a method.
ReplyDeleteI had to look up the difference between the black-necked and black-winged stilts.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne