Snipe triggers smiles on Sunday surveyors' dials

Latham's Snipe takes break from busy morning feeding close to tower hide in Townsville Town Common this morning and by so doing in plain sight pleasing members of Birdlife's regular monthly Sunday survey team. Also present, two, later three, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Nothing remarkable about their presence, ordinarily. However small wader (shore bird) numbers notably low through all the 2020 post-wet season. Seems also unlikely that migrating Yellow Wagtails will drop in by the rapidly drying remaining pools. Low numbers of Australasian Pipits seen lately indicate lack of suitable conditions for the Wagtails.

Yellow Wagtails' cool distance creates the blues

Six days of chatting to Siberian visitors and still getting distant treatment and cold shoulder from Yellow Wagtails at Melaleuca viewing area in the Town Common Conservation Park, Townsville.

Perhaps they're from northern Japan and upset by my ignorance of their origin. Or worse, took offence at comments about their - in first two seen - total lack of yellow. Anyway, four birds stayed for more than two weeks last year. Here's hoping for closer sightings in next week or so.

As with Latham's Snipe foraging along edge of Melaleuca pool. Not often seen quite so close.

Bit much to expect sharp shot of Wagtail in flight. Pied Stilt much easier to track through the air.

As also Comb-crested Jacana, till quite recently main resident of the deepest Melaleuca water.

And I'm afraid there's little likelihood of Yellow Wagtail ever posing so perfectly as the Jacana. Pity!

Scores of Latham's Snipe - score one for me

Flooded creek at Mungalla Station looks rather lifeless, but hiding in those dead grasses are Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) aplenty. How many? Counted 11 today, 15 previously. That's without even getting too close. My best guess? At least 30.

But they've not been lining up for pictures. Just luck that helped me catch sight of this one close enough to roadside to sneak up in the Troopy - and not have the bird fly as I stopped and poked camera and lens across the bonnet. One frame only not obscured by vegetation or blurred by the bird's movement.

And more good luck. No picture, but saw one Yellow Wagtail at another part of creek today. Could be newcomer on way to northern migration, More likely one of summer residents still around in spite of 1000mm rain this month.

Crimson Finch tucks into weed seed feed

Female Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton) tucks into hymenachne weed at Mungalla Station today. Above, it's not easy trying to be a tidy eater. Below, quick flick to clean the bill and looking neater.

Also in Mungalla, Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella), one of several likely to settle in for a few months' residency, and probably some breeding.

Recent migratory arrival, Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) also appears to have settled in for a long spell, feeding in pools alongside Palm Creek.

A longterm resident, Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis), stands out on track running above the creek. Much male posturing for months so local breeding possible, though I've never seen any younsters running about the Ingham area.  

And another longtermer - always in big numbers - Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae) leaves the dusty ground for a brief taste of the high life.

Bronze-cuckoo snacks in the sunshine

Little Bronze-Cuckoo (Chalcites minutillus; probably Gould's C.russatus again one day) one of many cuckoos enjoying Tyto caterpillars and sunshine today.

Happy with the sunshine, Bush Thick-knee (Stone-curlew; Burhinus grallarius) stand quietly and mostly unnoticed at Tyto carpark.

And - better late ... - Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) circle above Tyto front lagoons after being flushed this morning. Species usually fronts on August 1.

Finding birds at the double

Caught up with this Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) by the roadside the other day.

Found myself under observation before spell was broken and bird zig-zagged off

Also got two characteristic views of White-browed Robin (Poecilodryas superciliosa), at Jourama Falls yesterday.

And this Lewin's Honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii) at Wallaman Falls uncharacteristically paused long enough for another lucky double. 

Scruffy Snipe does a runner

Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) usually quick to fly when flushed but this week's bird mostly wanted to run and hide.

Because it's missing lot of outer plumage: infection or moult?

But at least there's enough scruffy tail to confirm identity as Latham's.    

Stonking big honkers don't deter Snipe

Pair of noisy Brolga (Grus rubicunda) adding their considerable presence to roadside pools just south of Ingham lately, out-honking and towering over the more numerous ducks and (Magpie) geese.

And tucked away silently tucking prey away at the same pools, Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii).