Monday, July 31, 2017

NORTHERN SHOVELER

Photographed at Tilley Swamp, South Australia, July 2017
1218                NORTHERN SHOVELER               Anas clypeata   

AUSTRALIA             711

Breeds in northern Eurasia and North America; winters s. to Thailand, Philippines; infrequent vagrant to Australia but found in most states. Wing 239-249 mm; bill 62-72 mm.

NOTE: Long range shot as bird was on private property with no access. 




Sunday, July 2, 2017

SOUTH ISLAND PIED OYSTERCATCHER

Photographed at Stockyard Point, Victoria, June 2017
(*  1199)                    SOUTH ISLAND PIED OYSTERCATCHER             Haematopus finschi 

AUSTRALIA                 710

Often referred to as SIPO. A vagrant from NZ occasionally recorded on e coast of Aust; seven records on east coast. 





LITTLE STINT

Photographed at Stockyard Point, Victoria, June 2017
1140                  LITTLE STINT              Calidris minuta

AUSTRALIA              109

Found on tidal mudflats, salt marshes, salt fields, muddy margins of freshwater and saline wetlands, sewerage ponds. 12-14 cm. Breeds in Arctic Eurasia; winters Europe, s Asia; vagrant Japan, Brunei, PNG. Summer vagrant to Australia, records NT, SA, Vic and NSW.





GREY DUCK

Photographed at Miranda, New Zealand, June 2017
(*  142)                   GREY DUCK             Anas superciliosa

NEW ZEALAND                 85

Also known as Pacific Black Duck in Australia. 55 cm. Very rare native, mainly in remote wetlands, including forest lakes and rivers, along west of South Island and north and central east of North Island.



















RED KNOT

Photographed at Miranda, New Zealand, June 2017
(*  538)                  RED KNOT               Calidris canutus 

NEW ZEALAND             84

Breeds in Holistic; migrates to tropics and Southern Hemisphere; second most common migrant wader to New Zealand estuaries, c. 30,000 birds. Favours north and western estuaries. 24 cm.



PEAFOWL

Photographed at Tihiora, New Zealand, June 2017
(*  263)                  PEAFOWL                  Pavo cristatus

NEW ZEALAND              83

Found in parks and private gardens, rough agricultural land with good cover in warm, dry districts. 90 cm. Uncommon Asian introduction particularly in the north of North Island and a few other spots on North and South Island.



ROOK

Photographed at Dannevirke, New Zealand, June 2017
1217                ROOK                Corvus frugilegus 

NEW ZEALAND                82

Found in pastures and cultivated paddocks, farm shelter belts, especially tall gums and pines. 45 cm. Locally common European introduction, mainly south east of North Island, but also isolated spots on North and South Island.




FERNBIRD

Photographed on North Island, New Zealand, June 2017
1216                   FERNBIRD                Bowdleria punctata 

NEW ZEALAND                 81

Locally common endemic in top of North Island and west and south of South Island. 18 cm. Found in freshwater and tidal wetlands, especially roadbeds or pakihi with emergent scrub; also drier sparse scrub and bracken.




COMMON REDPOLL

Photographed on North Island, New Zealand, June 2017
1215                    COMMON REDPOLL                Carduelis flammea      

NEW ZEALAND              80

Common European introduction throughout New Zealand. 12 cm. Found in farmland, orchards, tussock land, forest and scrub margins, parks and gardens.




BLUE DUCK

Photographed at Turangi, New Zealand, June 2017
1214                BLUE DUCK                Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos 

NEW ZEALAND              79

Uncommon endemic with 2000-3000 birds in fast-flowing mountain streams and rivers, mainly in native forest or tussock land, occasionally on lakes. 53 cm.




MUTE SWAN

Photographed at Waimarama, New Zealand, June 2017
(*   270)                   MUTE SWAN               Cygnus olor

NEW ZEALAND                 78

Found in lakes, parks, and private waterfowl collections. 150 cm. Rare European introduction found on the central east coast area of both North and South Island. 




NEW ZEALAND PIPIT

Photographed on Te Mata Peak, New Zealand, June 2017
1213                NEW ZEALAND PIPIT              Anthus novaeseelandiae 

NEW ZEALAND                   77

Found in open habitats from coast to alpine tops, but avoids intensely farmed areas; mainly near coast, on shingle riverbeds, gravel roads, and scree slopes. 19 cm. Uncommon endemic found throughout New Zealand.




SPOTTED SHAG

Photographed at Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, June 2017
1212                        SPOTTED SHAG                      Stictocarbo punctatus 

NEW ZEALAND                   76

Also known as Blue Shag. 70 cm. Found in estuaries, harbours, and coastal waters around mainland. Locally common endemic.