December 3, 2007
Surprise shorebirds
Total shorebird numbers were about the same as on the previous visit, though lacking a couple of species found in ones and twos last year (Greater Sandplover and Red-necked Stint). Pacific Golden Plover was again the most abundant species, with a max. count of 62 in the high tide roost in the island's centre. Always a pleasure to see this species up close - and away from sewage works!
2 Whimbrels (plus a freshly dead specimen) were the flightiest of the species present.
Wandering Tattlers were regularly encountered, but hard to count as they were typically solitary.
I got close enough to this one to discover the species has semipalmated feet.
Ruddy Turnstone completed the line-up. Probably not that many photos of them alongside Red-footed Boobies!
