Pectoral Sandpiper

I love summer, with daylight saving it is possible to go birding after work for a few hours!! I also love summer because its WADER SEASON!!

A few hours at my local wetland this week with my mate Chris resulted in excellent views of a pair of Pectoral Sandpipers. These gorgeous birds easily identified with their coloured bills and obviously chest markings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Norfolk Island Part 2

The rest of the week on sunny Norfolk Island was more relaxed having seen all the endemics.





Each day had a sort of routine, check the tide, if high check the airport runway for waders, if low check Kingston.

Walk most of the tracks in the rainforest morning and evening and in the hottest part of the day go snorkelling and have coffee at the Golden Orb Café or at the Olive. It's tough, but someone has to do it....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cascade is a good spot to view seabirds - just ensure you apply plenty of sunscreen, it's easy to get distracted and with no pollution the sun is harsh!

Red-tailed Tropicbird

I managed to get out to Phillip Island with Dave which was certainly a highlight of the trip for me, although no lifers I did manage improved photos of Grey Ternlets which are a beautiful bird. Also enjoyed watching the flying fish, which are a type of Mullet which propel themselves with their tail fin to get out of danger.

 

 

 

Black Noddy

 

 

 

California Quail

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Whistler - both sexes of this race are fairly plain on Norfolk Island - potential split!

 

 

The Grey Fantail is also a unique race and is quite different to mainland race.

Pacific Golden Plovers enjoy the airport runway!

 

 

Male Pacific Robin - looks like a Scarlet Robin but it's call is very different!

 

 

 

 

 

Green Sea Turtle

 

Flying Fish

 

 

 

Red-tailed Tropicbirds can fly backwards when preparing to land or check their nests

 

 

 

 

 

 

The boat has to be lowered in and out of the water with a crane - yes, with us in it!

 

 

Grey Ternlet

 

Phillip Island

The locals are very friendly, the lifestyle very relaxed and I can certainly say that Norfolk Island is worth a visit!!