Red-necked stints pay a visit, Phillip Island

Well these small migratory waders fly from the Southern Hemisphere to north-eastern Siberia to breed so I was thrilled when a small group of about 15 birds chose a local beach for a high tide feed recently (more about migration path and some breeding plumage images at Wikipedia's RNS page). The Easter weekend is known for its king tides in Westernport Bay, Victoria and assisted by a stiff breeze there was lots of sea grass thrown up at the high tide mark.

This was a great set of conditions to observe the stints who were so intent on feeding on creatures in the sand and grass that they gradually approached where I was perched. When seen in flight the group flew low over the water flashing white or dark as they changed direction in unison.

Red-necked stint (non-breeding) Silverleaves, Phillip Island 

'Enjoyed photographing this bird whose feeding was interrupted by a "freak wave"

The wave recedes, feeding resumes.

Nice plumage shot! Red-necked stint.

As usual some individuals more wary than others!

A couple of group shots (well half the group). At times the impression was of feathery mice scampering.

A pair of somewhat "toey" Masked lapwing provide size comparison.

Welcome visitors indeed!

Bird on!

Birds of Port Fairy 2013

Don't get excited  - no pellagics here!

Birding endeavours during my recent trip to Port Fairy were seriously truncated by illness (temporary!) but here's a selection of shots from the weekend trip away for the folk festival.

Golden-headed cisticola

From the boardwalk at Pea Soup beach a wealth of gulls and terns beckoned further investigation but I really wasn't up to it!

This unbanded Hooded plover was protecting a fenced and signed nesting site at Pea Soup Beach, Port Fairy. 

Black-shouldered kite with freshly caught mouse .... Yum!

Down the hatch - whole!

Does my stomach look full?

We walked past a wetland at Russell Clark Reserve daily which afforded good views of Great egret, Chestnut teal and other ducks, Buff-banded rail, Hoary-headed grebe, Purple swamphen and Dusky moorhen. There was a small group of around a dozen Black-tailed native hen.

Bird on!

Butcherbird brightens dull morning

Finally some cooler weather in Melbourne! It is a dull, cool morning (13 deg celsius - that's 55'F) and it seems like we're skipping Autumn this year (it was 36'C only 5 days ago - that's 97'F) .

The dull morning was brightened by a visit from a young Grey butcherbird demonstrating all the classic butcherbird poses:

Immature Grey butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus), suburban Blackburn, Australia

Find out more about this bird at the Birds in Backyards Grey Butcherbird page including a nice recording of the bird's piping call.

Bird on!