KENTISH PLOVER

Photographed at Kurnell, Sydney, December 2019

(*899)                  KENTISH PLOVER                  Charadrius alexandrinus

AUSTRALIA                 789

A coastal migrant widespread in Eurasia, often flocking with other small shorebirds on beaches. Only 2 previous Australian records (Darwin, NT and Old Bar, NSW). Alexandrinus migrates from NE to SE Asia.

COLLARED KINGFISHER

Photographed on Ashmore Reef, Western Australia, November 2019

1305                    (ASIAN) COLLARED KINGFISHER                    Todiramphus chloris

AUSTRALIA                  788

Vagrant to Christmas Island, Ashmore Reef and NW Australia. Common in wide variety of habitats, open country, coastal areas, ponds, plantations, gardens, but particularly mangroves.

NOTE: Taxonomy complex. About 50 ssp traditionally recognised from India to Micronesia; however Australian Collared Kingfisher was given species status and called Torresian Kingfisher; and SE Asian Collared Kingfisher was also given full species status.

KAMCHATKA LEAF-WARBLER

Photographed on Ashmore Reef, Western Australia, November 2019

1304                    KAMCHATKA LEAF-WARBLER                      Phylloscopus examinandus

AUSTRALIAN                 787

Vagrant; Four records, all from Ashmore Reef, Nov. Breeds Kamchatka, Sakhalin Peninsula, Russia; n Japan, winters in se Asia; non-breeding grounds not clearly defined.

NOTE:  At least 7 Arctic-type warblers were seen on Ashmore Reef, November 2019. Two birds were identified by call as Kamchatka Leaf-warblers, which is consistent with previous records. Arctic Warbler complex is made up of Arctic Warbler, Kamchatka Leaf-warbler and Japanese Leaf-warbler (not recorded in Australia). Arctic and Kamchatka only identifiable by call.

ORIENTAL REED WARBLER

Photographed on Ashmore Reef, November 2019

1303                     ORIENTAL REED-WARBLER                  Acracephalus orientalis

AUSTRALIA               786

Migrant from n Asia, vagrant or rare wet season visitor to n Aust; less 10 confirmed records, but perhaps often overlooked.

ISLAND MONARCH

Photographed on Ashmore Reef, November 2019

1302.             ISLAND MONARCH                   Monarcha cinerascens

AUSTRALIA              785

Mainly confined to islands in Wallace, and across n of New Guinea to Solomans, from smallest vegetated coral cays to large and diverse islands, such as Timor and Roti. Australian records from Ashmore Reef, Browse and Cassini Islands. In Aust. Recorded in littoral scrub on sand or coral islets; methodically searches for invertebrates among foliaged branches of low scrubs and trees, some sallying for flying insects.

SWINHOE'S STORM-PETREL

Photographed off Scot’s Reef, Western Australia, November 2019

1301                SWINHOE’S STORM-PETREL                   Oceandroma monorhis

AUSTRALIA                784

Breeds mostly in Sea of Japan (May-Aug), migrating in winter to tropical Indian Ocean (Sept-Apr); since 1999 shown to be uncommon non-breeding visitors pelagic waters off nw Aust; confirmed records restricted to Oct-Nov. 

STREAKED SHEARWATER

Photographed off Broome, Western Australia, November 2019

1300                  STREAKED SHEARWATER                      Calonectris leucomelas

AUSTRALIA.                783

Mostly over offshore waters and continental shelf slope, occasionally inshore waters. May show some interest in fishing vessels; occasionally observed from land. Often joins other species of shearwaters, noddies, terns feeding.Regular non-breeding migrant to tropical Aust. waters from breeding islands off Japan and Korean Peninsula. Generally uncommon.

KING QUAIL

Photographed on Postman's Track, Dayboro, Queensland, October 2019

1299                  KING QUAIL                 Coturnix chinensis

AUSTRALIA                782

Ranges n, e and se Australia mainland and some islands, from Kimberley (WA) to sw Victoria. Patchy and irregular, some well inland. Seden try, dispersive. Also found in India, China, se Asia to Indonesia, PNG. Found in swampy heaths, dense grasslands, growth on edge of wetlands, weedy pastures and remnants, lucent crops, tall tropical grasslands, dry sedge plains, rice crops.

NOTE: Three birders with clear views of eight King Quail, however I had a camera issue and the camera would not focus. Pictures until obtain better.

This is what mine should have looked like! Photo courtesy of Charlie Scott, who had his  settings right on the day.

More of mine.

GREY GRASSWREN

Photographed on the Birdesville Track, August 2019

1298                 GREY GRASSWREN.                       Amytornis barbatus

AUSTRALIA                     781

Found in tall dense clumps of lignum, swamp canegrass on overflow channels, swamps, rushes, low shrubs, old man saltbush. Range in pockets of suitable habitat in far sw Queensland, nw NSW, and ne SA. Locally nomadic.

ANTARTIC PRION

Photographed on Port MacDonnell pelagic, June 2019

1297                   ANTARTIC PRION                    Pachyptila desolata

AUSTRALIA                780

Also known as Dove Prion, and more commonly as whalebird. Breeds in Antarctic and sub-antartica islands; Ranges to n to 35degrees south, occasionally across equator. Common winter-spring visitor to offshore waters of s Australia from s WA to Was and to se Queensland.

GREAT SHEARWATER

Photographed on Eaglehawk pelagic, Tasmania, June 2019

1296                  GREAT SHEARWATER                 Ardenna gravis

AUSTRALIA                779

Population of near 5 million mostly in the Atlantic Ocean with regular occurrence into w Indian Ocean near SA. Vagrant to Australian waters with about 6 sightings before an influx in 2011. Most records over off-shore waters or at the shelf.

SOOTY ALBATROSS

Photographed on Eaglehawk pelagic, Tasmania, June 2019

1295                 SOOTY ALBATROSS              Phoebetria fusca

AUSTRALIA                 778

Frequents sub-Antarctic/temperate waters of s oceans; regular in autumn off Vic/SA, vagrant to NSW. Mostly beyond continental shelf; rarely seen from land. Usually singly or occasionally small groups. Effortly follows hips, passing interest in fishing vessels. Breeds on sub-Antartic Islands of Indian/Atlantic Oceans.

SOUTHERN FULMAR

Photographed on Eaglehawk pelagic, Tasmania, June 2019

1294                SOUTHERN FULMAR                   Fulmarus glacialoides

AUSTRALIA              777

Inhabits southern oceans, breeds in Antartica where it is a bird of the pack-ice and nearby waters.

MOREPORK

Photographed at Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania, June 2019

1293                 MOREPORK                 Ninox novaeseelandiae  

AUSTRALIA                776

Also referred to as Tasmanian Boobook. Often lumped with Southern Boobook but separated by DNA and is similar to New Zealand Boobook. Some migrate across Bass Strait.