-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Waders in Melbourne, Vic, Australia (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter mitchmitch
- Start date
Nutcracker
Stop Brexit!
1
2 Ruddy Turnstone
3 Pectoral Sandpiper
2 Ruddy Turnstone
3 Pectoral Sandpiper
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
3 Should be Sharp-tailed no?
Nutcracker
Stop Brexit!
Wondered about Sharp-tailed, but went for Pec as it doesn't seem to have enough flank streaking for S-t, also not a strong rufous cap. Both can occur in southeast Oz.
SteveClifton
Well-known member
I too would agree with Pectoral Sandpiper for #3, a moulting adult
Jeff Hopkins
Just another...observer
The breast pattern doesn't end quite as abruptly as I'm used to for pec, but I agree with pec. Definitely not a sharpie, IMO.
I'm getting a great knot feel for #1. Do they go as far south as Melbourne?
I'm getting a great knot feel for #1. Do they go as far south as Melbourne?
mitchmitch
Member
Thanks guys.
Jeff, according to my bird book Great Knots can be seen all around Australia. But theyre not common in Melbourne, and arent usually seen this early
Jeff, according to my bird book Great Knots can be seen all around Australia. But theyre not common in Melbourne, and arent usually seen this early
Last edited:
johnallcock
Well-known member
Great Knot have shorter, pale legs, plus this bird seems to have a few red feathers remaining on the flanks. I agree with Curlew Sandpiper.
Jeff Hopkins
Just another...observer
So it does. I missed that.
mjh73
Well-known member
As above 1. Curlew Sandpiper, 2. Ruddy Turnstone, 3. Pectoral Sandpiper
The 3 main migratory shorebirds at Western Treatment Plant are Curlew Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
Each season there are a few Pectoral Sandpiper - they probably go under-reported in the thousands upon thousands of sharpies. The extensive yellow bill base, quite bright yellow legs, and dark brown rather than rufous cap all look good for pec in this one. The termination of the breast streaking is not quite as sharp as usual, and the undertail coverts are not quite as clean as usual, but I still think this is a pec rather than a sharpie.
Re the first bird, notwithstanding Great Knot would be unusual at the treatment plant (though not unheard of!) this one is a Curlew Sand.
The 3 main migratory shorebirds at Western Treatment Plant are Curlew Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
Each season there are a few Pectoral Sandpiper - they probably go under-reported in the thousands upon thousands of sharpies. The extensive yellow bill base, quite bright yellow legs, and dark brown rather than rufous cap all look good for pec in this one. The termination of the breast streaking is not quite as sharp as usual, and the undertail coverts are not quite as clean as usual, but I still think this is a pec rather than a sharpie.
Re the first bird, notwithstanding Great Knot would be unusual at the treatment plant (though not unheard of!) this one is a Curlew Sand.
Last edited:
