Its an interesting find and needless to say, a 'Smart' looking bird.
Red Morph of Pied Heron (Egretta picatta) Fogg Dam NT Australia 25th Jan 2014
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Red Morph Pied Heron (Egretta picatta) at Fogg Dam
On the morning of the 25th Jan, this unusual looking bird was observed at the overflowing water on Fogg Dam. It created an optimistic flurry and conversation. The bird is a Pied Heron (Egretta Picata) and is a Red or Rufous morph. Similar sighting have been seen in the past at Leanyer Waste Treatment Plant but with varying degrees of the Red (and the cap prominent on the Pied). According to Birding expert Jeff Davies, he receives 1-2 reports of this morph on an annual basis.
Its an interesting find and needless to say, a 'Smart' looking bird.
Its an interesting find and needless to say, a 'Smart' looking bird.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
First NT Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius)
This morning (21st Jan), fellow birder Gus Daly and I decided to have a quick visit to Leanyer Ponds, just on the off chance that something interesting has landed.
In about 3 minutes we spotted something different and called straight away 'Phalarope'!
Well, this shabby little fellow has created quite a stir. He has obviously been challenged by the recent monsoon activity in the area and got blown from the sea down to us.
This is the 7th report in Australia of Phalaropus fulicarius although BARC (Birds of Australia Rarities Commission have only accepted 4 reports.
1. Lake Woorinen, Vic, Feb-March 1976
2. McGrath Flat, SA, 7th July 1989
3. Port Fairy, Vic, 12th July 1992
4. Lake Mitchell, QLD, 4th November 2003
This is the first record and the NT and yet another Mega rarity, a great start to the new year.
Breeding in the Artic/Alaska and wintering off of Chile or w Africa it has been pretty rare for a visit here and particularly up in the NT.
In about 3 minutes we spotted something different and called straight away 'Phalarope'!
Well, this shabby little fellow has created quite a stir. He has obviously been challenged by the recent monsoon activity in the area and got blown from the sea down to us.
This is the 7th report in Australia of Phalaropus fulicarius although BARC (Birds of Australia Rarities Commission have only accepted 4 reports.
1. Lake Woorinen, Vic, Feb-March 1976
2. McGrath Flat, SA, 7th July 1989
3. Port Fairy, Vic, 12th July 1992
4. Lake Mitchell, QLD, 4th November 2003
This is the first record and the NT and yet another Mega rarity, a great start to the new year.
Breeding in the Artic/Alaska and wintering off of Chile or w Africa it has been pretty rare for a visit here and particularly up in the NT.
Grey Pahalarope ID Lateral widening of bill at tip
311 Final Count for NT 2013
After an inability to find some common species in the area, such as Cicada Bird and Feral Rock Dove, I was lucky enough to embark on a last ditch effort out Timber Creek way with Experience the Wild's Mike Jarvis.
A hot but enjoyable time saw us catch the elusive Chestnut-backed Buttonquail at a little site 40km along the Victoria Highway on the 28th of December....Hooray
A couple of days earlier, I caught up with David Webb out at Fogg Dam and an early showing of an Oriental Reed Warbler. (I havent seen it since, so am feeling lucky)
Anyway Final result is 311 Species seen in the Northern Territory and an increase to 338 NT life species seen from about 323 at the beginning of the year.
Good Birding
Mick
mick@nttours.com
A hot but enjoyable time saw us catch the elusive Chestnut-backed Buttonquail at a little site 40km along the Victoria Highway on the 28th of December....Hooray
A couple of days earlier, I caught up with David Webb out at Fogg Dam and an early showing of an Oriental Reed Warbler. (I havent seen it since, so am feeling lucky)
Anyway Final result is 311 Species seen in the Northern Territory and an increase to 338 NT life species seen from about 323 at the beginning of the year.
Good Birding
Mick
mick@nttours.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)