BAIRD'S SANDPIPER

Photographed at Lake Walyungup, Perth, WA, March, 2019

1274                           BAIRD'S SANDPIPER                     Calidris bairdii

AUSTRALIA                774

Breeds in northern Tundra from eastern Siberia to western Greenland; long distance migrants, wintering in South America. Usual habitat is coastal and some inland sites, margins of fresh water and brackish wetlands; often feeds on margins of drier vegetation as well as damp areas and mudflats. Rare vagrant to Australia but a few scattered sightings in most states. 

LONG-TAILED JAEGER

Photographed between Ashmore Reef and Scott Reef, nw WA, March 2019

1273                   LONG-TAILED JAEGER                  Stercorarius longicaudus                   

AUSTRALIA                  773

Also known as Long-tailed Skua. Breeds in Arctic of Eurasia and North America, with major populations in Russia, Alaska, and Canada. Winters in the south Atlantic and pacific. Feeds on fish which are mainly caught from other sea birds, smaller birds, food scraps, small mammals, fruit and carrion. Regular but uncommon visitor to off-shore Australian waters.

BULWER'S PETREL

Photographed between Ashmore Reef and Scott Reef, nw WA, March 2019

1272                 BULWER’S PETREL                    Bulweria bulwerii                

AUSTRALIA              772

Breeds in North Atlantic in colonies on islands in Cape Verde Islands, Azores, Canary Islands and Madeira Groups, and across Nth Pacific from east of China to Hawaii; in Australia records as vagrant off ne Queensland and Victoria; may be common from Sept. to April off nw WA. Highly pelagic feeder and rarely found near land. Eats small fish, squid and some crabs, krill, shrimp.

TRINDADE PETREL

Photographed on West Island, Ashmore Reef, WA, March 2019

1271                TRINDADE PETREL                 Pterodroma arminjoniana                    

AUSTRALIA                     771

Was considered conspecific with Herald Petrel. Considered vulnerable due to habitation loss and small breeding range. Breeds on oceanic islands and atolls, usually on cliff edges; notably Trindade Island 1,100 kms from Brazilian c last, and Round Island in Indian Ocean.  On some islands breeding birds threatened by rats and cats.

NOTE: First Australian record.

LESSER NODDY

Photographed on Adele Island, WA, March 2019

1270                    LESSER NODDY                  Anous tenuirostri

AUSTRALIA                770

Found off west coast of WA and into Indian Ocean; main breeding population on Houtman Albrolhos Is; small population occurs on Ashmore Reef. Can forage near breeding islands or well out to sea.

ROSEATE TERN

Photographed on West Island, Lacepedes, WA, March, 2019

1269                   ROSEATE TERN                   Sterna dougallii     

AUSTRALIA                769

In Australia restricted to tropical and subtropical seas and coastlines from Perth to Brisbane. Feeds at sea, usually over deeper water; not often seen from mainland; mainly associated with coral reefs and sparsely vegetated islands above high-water mark. Two subspecies: bangsii and gracilis.

(bird at rear)

EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL

Photographed at Broome water Treatment Plant at some distance; March, 2019

(*896)              EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL                Motacilla tschutschensis 

AUSTRALIA                   768

Breeds in Asia and has a foothold in North America in Alaska; populations migrate to South Asia and Australia. Insectivorous, inhabiting open country near water.

NOTE:

Current subspecies: 

angarensis:      South Siberian yellow Wagtail; breeds from Siberia to n Mongolia

leucocephala:  White-headed Yellow Wagtail; breeds nw Mongolia, China and Russia

taivana:            Green-crowned Yellow Wagtail; winter to Taiwan and Wallacea

macronyx:       Southeast Siberian Yellow Wagtail; winter nw of South China Sea

simillima         Bering Sea Yellow Wagtail; Kamchatka and Bering Sea

WESTERN FIELDWREN

Photographed at Nilgen Nature Reserve Lookout, WA, March 2019

1268                WESTERN FIELDWREN                    Calamanthus montanellus

AUSTRALIA                767

Recently split, was considered a subspecies of Rufous Fieldwren. Endemic to sw Australia. Inhabits low shrubland, particularly saltbush and bluebush communities. Forages for insects and seeds, hopping along ground through undergrowth; will hop to top of bushes to investigate disturbance.