Dale's Big Year Challenge 2020

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dwatsonbb
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Dale's Big Year Challenge 2020

Thought seeing as it is a New Year, I would try and find a new bird (to me at least) for my 1st photo.

Snug Falls Track today - 1st it was very close, but in the shade, 2nd light was better but couldn't get as close as I would like. Not great photos, but clearly identifiable. Nothing else exciting. Waiting for better photos of the more common birds.

1. Pink Robin (male).

Pink Robin by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Pink Robin by Dale Watson, on Flickr

sue818
sue818's picture

Beautiful, Dale. What a fitting way to start. 

Alex Rogers
Alex Rogers's picture

Yes, great start, Pink Robins are awesome :-) I found them tricky to photograph too - quite shy and always in the shade. 

dwatsonbb
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Thanks for you encouraging comments, havent had alot of time to do much.

Got out Tuesday morning, was a bit overcast, and had some backlit birds.Took some 1200 photos,1100 or so got deleted!

 Anyway here is my attempt to close the gap, at least for a day or so anyway. Quite a few EBCs but also happy with a few.

2. Australian Magpie 

Australian Magpie by Dale Watson, on Flickr

3.Little Pied Cormorant, classic Cormorant pose.

Little Pied Cormorant by Dale Watson, on Flickr

4. Little Black Cormorant.

Little Black Cormorant by Dale Watson, on Flickr

5. Musk Lorikeet - there were hundreds of these, took me a while to find some in the open I love these guys.

Musk Lorikeet by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Musk Lorikeet by Dale Watson, on Flickr

6. Long Billed Corella.

Long Billed Corella by Dale Watson, on Flickr

7. Eastern Great Egret, breeding plumage - saw 3 of these in different locations, this one quite close, love these to, so a couple of photos.

Great Egret by Dale Watson, on Flickrgr

Great Egret by Dale Watson, on Flickr

8. Australian Shelduck EBC, 1st time where I am able to confirm ID, believe I have seen before, but not close enough to ID.

Australian Shelduck by Dale Watson, on Flickr

9. Australasion Shoveler EBC heavily cropped a new bird to me.

Australasian Shoveler by Dale Watson, on Flickr

10. Kelp Gull (juvenile) - thought from the beak it was a Pacific Gull, but there were only adult Kelps around so listing as Kelp (hopefully I am wrong, I have another nice photo of a younger Kelp)

Kelp Gull by Dale Watson, on Flickr

11. White Faced Heron - fair way off, like the surrounds so I have not cropped, took flight shortly after BAAAGGHHH.

White Faced Heron by Dale Watson, on Flickr

12. Eurasian Coot with young - these are almost as common as Blackbirds is some places, I think there are several thousand on the Derwent River near the Bridewater Bridge.

Eurasian Coot with young by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Eurasian Coot with young by Dale Watson, on Flickr

13. Tasmanian Native Hen - not the best photo, maybe I will upgrade later?

Tasmanian Native Hen by Dale Watson, on Flickr

14. Green Rosella again an EBC ordinary photo.

Green Rosella by Dale Watson, on Flickr

15. Muscovy - domestic species I know but it lives in a wetland reserve.

Muscovey by Dale Watson, on Flickr

16. Spotted Dove.

Spotted Dove by Dale Watson, on Flickr

17. Australian Pied Oyster-catcher family, presume mum, dad and 2 younger birds.

Australian Pied Oystercatcher by Dale Watson, on Flickr

18. Sulphur Crested Cockatoo - feral to Tasmania, none the less beautiful creatures.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo by Dale Watson, on Flickr

19. Chestnut Teal.

Chestnut Teal by Dale Watson, on Flickr

20. Grey Teal - ID by the light neck colouring

Grey Teal by Dale Watson, on Flickr

21. Australian Wood Duck

Australian Wood or Maned Duck by Dale Watson, on Flickr

22. Goose domestic sp. Sorry guys gotta get my numbers up somehow!

Goose domestic sp. by Dale Watson, on Flickr

23. Noisy Miner - was happy with this BIF shot.

Noisy Miner by Dale Watson, on Flickr

24. Little Wattle Bird

Little Wattle Bird by Dale Watson, on Flickr

25. Pacific Black Duck - this one we should all get easily?

Pacific Black Duck by Dale Watson, on Flickr

26. Masked Lapwing (Black Shouldered)

Masked Lapwing (Black Shouldered) by Dale Watson, on Flickr

27. Australasian Swamphen aka Purple Swamphen.

Australasian Swamphen aka PurpleSwamphen by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Devster
Devster's picture

Well done Dale. Glad you finally got to go out. Really love the Egret in full breeding plumage and the Musk Lorikeets. I've never seen them and hope to one day.

sue818
sue818's picture

Wow, Dale, well worth getting out for that lot. Some wonderful photos there and good birds. I think the Musk Lorrikeet and Noisy Miner (great BIF shot) are my favourites but the Egret shows the change to breeding plumage really well. Love those blue lores. It is also good to see something new like the Shelduck, is it not? Looking forward to more. 

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Thanks Dev and Sue. Yes it is always nice to find a new species, give me a boost to keep going.

Had this one in the Nikon from a fishing trip, left the camera on the boat, so it's a few days before the last lot. The only time we have seen very few birds, nomally they come up to the boat hoping for a feed.This was the only bird to get close enough for a photo.

28. Shy Albatross (fairly confident with the ID).

Shy Albatross by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dwatsonbb
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Upgrade for 14. Green Rosella, taken in my own backyard, disturbed it while enjoying a feed of our apples.

Green Rosella by Dale Watson, on Flickr

29. Grey Butcherbird - a new one for me, high on a tower, grey sky, so not brilliant but easily identifyable.

Grey Butcherbird by Dale Watson, on Flickr

30. Yellow Wattlebird. Found this one while going to car after work this morning. It's interesting the difference in size of the wattles, between yellow and red, yellow much more pendulous. 2 photos so hopefully you can also see the yellow belly, and I quite like the photo, even though focus is a bit off.

Yellow Wattlebird by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Yellow Wattlebird by Dale Watson, on Flickr

31. Superb Fairy-wren (female).

Superb Fairywren by Dale Watson, on Flickr

32.House Sparrow, not a special bird but it's another for my tally.

House Sparrow by Dale Watson, on Flickr

33. Grey Fantail (young I believe, not much in the way of tail feathers, and the beak has not matured).

Grey Fantail by Dale Watson, on Flickr

34. Galah. Was able to get very close and was happy with these two photos.

Galah by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Galah by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Alex Rogers
Alex Rogers's picture

Very nice Dale, some great photos there - and that Shy Albatross is a lovely catch, and the first Albatross of the group as a whole I think. As a Tassie fisherman you have the opportunity to shoot a whole bunch of pelagics that we can never see - so go for it :-) 

sue818
sue818's picture

Another lovely lot of birds, Dale... I especially like the Albatross. As Alex says, you have a great opportunity with the pelagics as a fisherman. I have not be game to try that as yet. I also love the wattles on the Yellow Wattlebird as they are so big... one can only wonder what purpose they serve... attraction?

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Thanks Alex and Sue. While the fisherman in me has an advantage with pelagic species, the photographer in me is nervous about taking the good camera on a smallish boat is sometimes lumpy seas, which make it more difficult to provide photos with birds actually in them, and even more difficult to have birds which can be clearly identified. Anyway, we haven't ventured far as yet this year, hoping to go deep soon (we occasionally fish of the edge of the continental shelf).

Some research reveals the wattles may serve May have several uses. Some fowl sites suggest they are to attract females, by proving they can provide more food (according to the condition of the wattles - size and colour), Information on Yellow Wattle Birds says they are more bold during courtship/breeding. Other source indicate that birds can't or don't sweat, and so they may serve to regulate temperature. All very interesting, as my knowledge continues to grow.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

35. Eastern Spinebill, was excited to see a couple of these today, only ever seen once before, and no photo. 

Eastern Spinebill by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Eastern Spinebill by Dale Watson, on Flickr

36. Tasmanian Thornbill - not as good as last years photo, ID by rufous/cinnamon forehead and fluffy underpants. Hoping for an upgrade at some stage. Heavy crop.

Tasmanian Thornbill by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Alex Rogers
Alex Rogers's picture

The spinebills are such stunning birds, aren't they? I only saw my first ones recently as well, and am still to get a decent photo. 

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Thanks Alex, I agree the spinebills are stunning, while they are supposedly common, don't see them often enough. I am happy with these shots, still looking to improve, but I achieved my goal of getting a photo which allows for clear ID.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

sue818
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Great photos of the Spinebill, Dale. It is always nice to see something again and I often find the second sighting produces a better photo. Keep them coming although I do understand your reluctance to take the camera when out fishing.

Devster
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I love those Spinebill shots Dale. So typical of them to be upside down.

dwatsonbb
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37. Orange Bellied Parrot (OBP) - was lucky enough to get to Southwest National Park, Melaleuca, in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area on Thursday. Flew into Melaleuca, spent some time at the Deny King Museum and Orange Bellied Parrot public viewing hide, before embarking on a boat cruise of Bathurst Harbour and Port Davy. The day was overcast in the morning, but cloud lifted early, with just a light breeze. A day I would recommend if you have the chance. Of course being wild there is no guarentee you will see the parrots, but you have pretty good chance!

My primary aim was to see the critically endangered Orange Bellied Parrot. It was my lucky day, we were blessed with the presence of 11 at once, at the feeding station/public viewing hide located at the Deny King Museum. This is possibly the only form of artificial feeding I support, as it is potentially critical in the survival of this species. I did see one individual away from the hide, but was not quick enough to get a photo.

This year there were 23 individuals who returned from their winter migration (will put a link to information below), 15 of which were female.  

https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/conservation/threatened-species-and-communities/lists-of-threatened-species/threatened-species-vertebrates/orange-bellied-parrot

I now have in excess of 300 photos (still sorting them out), but here are just a few - cropped but only slightly. The group photo shows 11 OBPs.

Orange Bellied Parrot by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Orange Bellied Parrot (female) by Dale Watson, on Flickr

This photo is posted because I have captured 11 critically endagered OBPs in one photo, something I beleive may be a once in a lifetime opportunity!

The feeding station is meticulously cleaned as are all of the feeders each morning by volunteers who participate in the OBP program, in order to reduce the chances of spreading beak and feather disease.

I will post some more in Best Photos once I get a chance, hopefully be able to see male, female and juvenile individuals.

Orange Bellied Parrot group by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

sue818
sue818's picture

Oh wow, Dale. How wonderful to see any wild OBPs let alone 11 in one shot. Also great to know that some returned from the mainland. Frighteningly low numbers still alive in this day and age. In these cases and in drought / burnt zones, I cannot see an issue with offering some food & water. 
 

Another place to put on my wish list! Thanks for sharing, Dale,

karentwemlow
karentwemlow's picture

Oh wow what a wonderful experience for you! And yes feeding under these circumstances sounds quite valid. Have you read the book 'The Birds at My Table'? It's on my reading list but would love feedback if anyone has read it. And it sounds like I need to get myself back to Tasmania, haven't been there since I was 12 years old and I loved it then.

Devster
Devster's picture

Oh wow, I am extremely jealous. This is a bird I have wanted to see for some time. I could not afford the day trip out there when I visited and it was just on the end of their season so it was unlikely I would have gotten them. My favourite is the first one. I will have to look up when they come back from their winter migration and go down again to see them.

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Thanks all. Karen, I have not read that book, I'm not really a reader. Dev, they arrive from September into October, but I noticed the count doesn't get posted until January. The guide suggested late November early December, as all the wild flowers are blooming, and that's before most of the tourists arrive. A friend who has spent much time at Melalueca (volunteered and help build the museum) said January/February is the best time to see the OBPs, by then they have fledged their young, and possibly the greatest number to be seen. The older adults leave usually March, with new season fledglings a little later. My information can be read in the pages of the link above if you have time.

For what it's worth, I will pay the money and go again, maybe later this year or next (I'm keen to see the native flowers in bloom as well).

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

38. Blue Winged Parrot a new bird for me already posted some in Best Photos - Melaleuca - Southwest National Park - Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Blue Winged Parrot by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Blue Winged Parrot by Dale Watson, on Flickr

39 White Bellied Sea Eagle - Melaleuca - Southwest National Park - Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Wide shot showing habitat, was on edge of Bathurst Harbour, taken from a boat.

White Bellied Sea Eagle by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Same photo cropped.

White Bellied SeaEagle by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Then it took flight again cropped.

White Bellied Sea Eagle by Dale Watson, on Flickr

40. Great Cormorant -  Melaleuca - Southwest National Park - Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Not a great shot, but I like the habitat.

Great Cormorant by Dale Watson, on Flickr

41. Tree Martin - a new bird for me and a definite EBC. Id confirmed live, but getting a decent photo is almost impossible! Melaleuca - Southwest National Park - Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Both are cropped and processed.

Tree Martin by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Tree Martin by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

42. Scrubtit (Tasmanian endemic). Have been unable to get a photo, can't even confirm I have seen before. Posted in Identifications and a Tasmanian Bird Sighting FaceBook page. Got an answer from FB which confirms ID. 2 photos,an upper body shot, and a bum shot. Amazes me how they can hang onto a large tree trunk, which goes straight up!

Scrubtit by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Scrubtit by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

43. Bar-tailed Godwit - today at Orielton lagoon, a flock of 50 or so. Not the first sighting, but certainly the closest I have been. Single bird is cropped, other photo shows clarity of the water. After way too many photos, they took off (3rd shot). Have a few new species, but just waiting to see if the site is stable before uploading too many at once!

Bar-tailed Godwit by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Bar-tailed Godwit by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Bar-tailed Godwit by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Finally got round to sorting photos from Saturday morning at Orielton Lagoon. when I arrived I bumped into some Birdlife Tasmania members who were completing the Migratory Shorebird Count, asked if I could tag along - they were happy, so long as I helped with the count. All species have had ID confirmed by "the experts", and I am hoping you can identify them from my photos - happy to withdraw any which are disputed.Have now joined Birdlife Tasmania, as it seems they have lots of excursions with like minded people, where hopefully I can expand my knowledge and photo catologue.

Seems shorebirds are hard to get close to, without sending them flying!

Several new species, but sadly mostly EBCs. Unfortunately along way away,with a heat shimmer affecting autofocus (not an excuse, just bad luck). I could clearly identify all species usung the "spotting scope" which the Birdlife members were using. Looking into getting a scope, and making/buying an adapter to mount a camera - maybe?

44. Pacific Golden Plover (new species), with a couple of Masked Lapwings as a bonus.

2Q5A5097[1] by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Pacific Golden Plover by Dale Watson, on Flickr

45. Australian Pelican.

Australian Pelican by Dale Watson, on Flickr

46. Eastern Curlew (new species) - very much an EBC, around 500 metres away, heavy crop, but you can see the bill if you look closely. There were 11 present, mixed with Silver Gulls and Australian Pied Oystercatchers. I have been to Orielton several times to try to find these, patience pays off finally (and some experts who knew where to look!)

Eastern Curlew by Dale Watson, on Flickr

47. Caspian Tern - another EBC, you can clearly see the red bill.

Caspian Tern by Dale Watson, on Flickr

62. - number correction for simple counting errors. Red-necked Stint (new species). Over 250 of these at this location. Very hard to get close to.

Red-necked Stint by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Red-necked Stint by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Red-necked Stint by Dale Watson, on Flickr

48.Pectoral Sandpiper (new species) the Birldilfe people were excited to see this one, but disappointed the Sharp-tailed sighted a few days earleir could not be found. You can clearly see the line accross the chest - boy this was so obvious using the spotting scope! Yet another EBC, but it is building my tally.

2Q5A5277[1] by Dale Watson, on Flickr

49. Crested Tern. Another EBC

Crested Tern by Dale Watson, on Flickr

50. Common Greenshank. Antoher EBC, they were with a group of Teals, unfortunately heads tucked underwing.

Common Greenshank by Dale Watson, on Flickr

51. Hoary Headed Grebe - heavy crop.

Hoary Headed Grebe by Dale Watson, on Flickr

52. SIlver Gull - juvenile at Sevn Mile Beach on the way home.

Silver Gull by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Alex Rogers
Alex Rogers's picture

Dale, great to see so many birds, excellent that you are getting out with your camera. I reckon your photography is stepping up too, some lovely shots in there. Good stuff on joining Birdlife - they really are a positive force for birding and birds in Aus, so not only will you get to do more with like-minded people but your money will be used well :-) Oreilton Lagoon looks like a great place. 

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Maybe the last photos for a week or two, will be away from internet and phone from Sunday. Might get a few in tomorrow, weather permitting, we are also getting some much needed rain, although not the downpours the some mainland areas have had.

Happy birding!

53. Short-Tailed Shearwater AKA Mutton Bird, usually see heaps of these on our fishibg adventures, numbers seem down, and they are hard to get a decent shot of. This one heavily cropped on a dull day - yet another EBC, Nikon P900.

Short-tailed Shearwater by Dale Watson, on Flickr

54. Grey Currawong - taken from the window of the car, Nikon P900, my go everywhere camera, unfortunately the deck in the background has better focus than the bird, the only issue with P900 is the quality of the viewfinder, has exceptional zoom though.

DSCN1082 by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Devster
Devster's picture

Another great lot Dale. Love those Golden Povers. With your Red-capped Plover, is that the right photo as it looks a little big for a RCP plus the colours look wrong. Happy to be corrected though

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Thanks Dev, the RCP was ID by the BirdLife Tas. people, however there is a chance I have picked the wrong photo. Will have to have another look through them to see if there is a more likely prospect. I don't have many with only 1 bird. Another daunting task, as there are so many to look through.

I am trying not to take photos which I think will be "only just", but unfortunately what my old eyes see through the viewfinder aren't matching the results, still way too many discards! Anyway, I am enjoying the process.

I will try and get Back to Orielton mid March, see if I can score a few upgrades. It's getting close to departure time for the migratory birds, they will probably be packing their bags by then!
 

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Weather was kind to me, bit windy, but I still got out. A couple of new birds for me. Excited to here there has been a Latham's Snipe at Gould's Lagoon, and lucky for me, still there. All photos are cropped, just can't seem to get close enough before they take off. My last photos til mid March.

55. Latham's Snipe (new species for me). Not the best photo, but it wouldn't move into a clear spot for me.

Latham's Snipe by Dale Watson, on Flickr

56. Black Fronted Dotterel (new species for me) - didn't realise how small they are, apart from the white being highlighted by the sun, I think I wold have missed seeing them (saw a flash out of the corner of my eye). Family of 3, you can see the black front starting to develop on the juvenile. Sorry if it's a bit photo heavy, had trouble deciding which ones to upload!

Black-fronted Dotterel by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Black-fronted Dotterel by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Black-fronted Dotterel by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Juvenile.

Black-fronted Dotterel (juvenile) by Dale Watson, on Flickr

57. Eastern Rosella - the most of these I have seen at one place in Tassie. Love the colours on this species.

Eastern Rosella by Dale Watson, on Flickr

58. Freckled Duck, these have been in present for several years, previously not found in Tasmania, last year I counted 34, but this year they are hard to find. This photo also has 2 Great Comorants (no 40).  in fact, they hogged the shot! Couldnt get a better angle or view for a good photo of the Freckled Duck.

Freckled Duck with Great Cormorants by Dale Watson, on Flickr

2. Australian Magpie - not an upgrade as such, but I like this Australian Magpie, which spent several minutes trying to find the best way to swallow the bumble bee.

Australian Magpie eating Bumblebee by Dale Watson, on Flickr

9. Australasian Shoveler, nice to see both sexes together.

Australasian Shoveler by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Australasian Shoveler by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Devster
Devster's picture

Nice Dale. A few we don't get to regularly see here in Qld. Yeah, I have found that Snipes are not the most accomodating birds and tend to spook very easily. Love the Rosella photo and the Dotterels are very cute

Alex Rogers
Alex Rogers's picture

Good stuff Dale. I haven't seen the shovelers or freckled ducks, cool to see them. I'm pretty sure I saw a pair of snipe fleeing in horror at the thought of being photographed - but am yet to be sure, or capture one on film - nice work. 

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Thanks guys, yes Dev, the Snipe did spook easily, my approach is to start taking photos, and creep closer in hope of a better shot.

Alex, I have only ever seen one Snipe, and it was pointed out to me by a visiting birder from the USA, I didn't see it, even though It was right behind the Dotterels.

Got a few more coming, just need to get time to sort. I have a couple, which unfortunately won't count for the challenge, but hopefully tomorrow will put up in best photos.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

59. Little Corella.

Little Corella by Dale Watson, on Flickr

60. Rock Dove - didn't put one of these up last year, didn't really want to this year, but they are quite photogenic, and provide good practice! Not to mention another species.

Rock Dove by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

61. Silvereye - this one flew directly in front of me, then landed briefly about 2 metres away, managed a couple of photos, unfortunatley this is the best! Heavy crop.

Silvereye by Dale Watson, on Flickr

63. European Goldfinch. Another introduced species.

European Goldfinch by Dale Watson, on Flickr

64. Pacific Gull - note the "lipstick" on both upper and lower bill.

Pacific Gull by Dale Watson, on Flickr

And now for a short intermission from our feathered friends, couldn't help but put this girl up!

2Q5A7327 by Dale Watson, on Flickr

And just because I could, another 56. Black-fronted Dotterel.

Black-fronted Dotterel by Dale Watson, on Flickr

An upgrade for 9. Mr and Mrs Australasian Shoveler - (in my opinion a better shot). Thought from a distance he was just another Chestnut Teal, but as I moved closer, I got happier!

Australasian Shoveler by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Devster
Devster's picture

Nice shots Dale. I like Mr & Mrs Shovler as we don't see many of them in these here parts. I do think the lipstick on the Pacific Gulls looks funny. Don't get them up here either. We do however sometimes get the Tasmanian subspecies of Silvereye with that buff colouring.

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture


Replacement for 45. was Red-capped plover, now confirmed most likely Common Greenshank (thanks Dev, always struggle with shorebirds). Still looking for my Redcap photo.

So here is my new 45.

** seems my basic counting skills are poor, I already had a 45, so have edited this photo to 65. Raven sp.

65. Raven sp. still awaiting ID, Australian or Little. Definitely not Forest. Sighted at Manly, last Wednesday. Unlikely to see the alternate species anytime soon, so will just count as 1 species, until ID confirmed. 4or 5 in the flock, heavy crop.

Raven by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Devster
Devster's picture

dwatsonbb wrote:


Replacement for 45. was Red-capped plover, now confirmed most likely Common Greenshank (thanks Dev, always struggle with shorebirds). Still looking for my Redcap photo.

I struggle too Dale, but am slowly progressing the more I get out. 

Are you sure Greenshank as they look smaller and dumpier than a Greenshank and the bill looks too small. They do look more like Sharpies to me, one even looks like the Pectoral Sandpiper with that distinct sharp edge on the chest. But as always, happy to be corrected

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Thanks Dev, I am now sure of only 2 things, firstly that it should never have been 45., as my Australian Pelicans are at 45 (I had 2 different photos with the same number) so I will edit the Raven shot to reflect the change. Secondly, that bird has feathers, it was in the lagoon with other shorebirds, and it is definitely not a Red-cap (guessing thats more than 2 things I am sure of haha). The Common Greenshank ID was made by Steven McBride in the ID forum, and from that photo he is saying "most likely". Steven seems to be the most expert on this forum, I might post it on Tas. Bird sightings, to see if anyone can be more confident. I think the white extends too far up the chest for a Sandpiper. Anyway will keep you posted if anything else comes to light.

Edit, seems my counting woes continue, my Red-neck Stints are also a duplicate number at 47, will modify to read 62, as it appears I skipped that one as well. So my next will be 66. I am sure Dev's stats will reflect an accurate count.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Devster
Devster's picture

To be honest Dale I have not done stats on this years one. I started to, then found it hard and time consuming to keep track of peoples different methods of numbering so I gave up. Sorry

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

No worries Dev, I think we can all be trusted, and it's not like the family home is On the line. I thought you did a fantastic job last year, and personally, I couldn't cope with the expected numbers for a full year. We keep each other honest with constructive feedback.anyway.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Devster
Devster's picture

Thanks Dale, for me it was more about curiosity rather than trust. I liked seeing what birds were found where and how many of the same species we each had. If this virus thing affects my work and I have to have 2 weeks self isolation then I may have the time to revisit it.

sue818
sue818's picture

Wow, Dale, you have been busy with some wonderful shots and birds. I did look at 45 when it was the 'RC plover' and thought leg colour was wrong but still working without new glasses so did not comment. Shorebirds are not easy. Steve seems to know them qquite well.

Thanks for all that effort with the stats last year, Dev. If you find time great but it is just for curiosity and interest value.

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Finally the Red-cap Plover scandal has been resolved. The photo originally posted is in fact a Common Greenshank, confirmed by members of Tas. Bird Sightings, and I have found the long lost photo of the only Red-cap sighted on the day. Both are poor photos and definite EBCs.

Repeat of 50. Common Greenshank.

Common Greenshank by Dale Watson, on Flickr

66. Red-capped Plover - heavy crop from a long way away.

Red-capped Plover by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

sue818
sue818's picture

Well done, Dale. They look right now. It is always great to see some new birds, is it not?

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Thanks Sue it certainly is, and my learning curb is steep. My problem this day was that I was that I was in the company of the bird gurus, and saw things I may not have spotted alone (that was a good thing), but I ended up with almost 1200 photos, alot of discards (which I have not done yet) and a few shots (mostly EBCs) of some new species, hence the reluctance to discard until I am certain I didn't miss any!

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Devster
Devster's picture

Yay, good on you for persisting. I find sometimes thats the best way to learn. They look spot on as mentioned. Well done

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Managed to get away from the madness for a bit today, went looking for Double-banded Plovers (arrive in Tassie autumn/winter), and hoping to see the Pacific Golden Plovers, which according to locals are looking quite slpendid in their breeding colours. Got the tides wrong and never sighted either, did get a few which I haven't posted yet this year. Couple of EBCs and a couple which aren't too bad.

67. Grey Goshawk - White Morph - we only have the White Morph here in Tassie, listed as endangered, there are a few around if you can find them, and have they stay long enough for a pic. Both heavy crop.

Grey Goshawk (White Morph) by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Grey Goshawk (White Morph) by Dale Watson, on Flickr

68. Black-faced Cormorant - not sure what this one has been into, but normally the chest and front of the neck are pure white (2nd photo is from last year for comparison).

Black-faced Cormorant by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Last years photo.

Black Faced Cormorant by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Replacement/additional for 24. Little Wattlebird - parent and junior - the one on the right is junior calling, boy it was a noisy chick. Seems junior is almost the same size as the parent. 2nd photo is the parent, like the colour of the sky, neither are cropped.

Little Wattlebird by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Little Wattlebird by Dale Watson, on Flickr

69. Forest Raven - not cropped, happy to get this in a habitat other than being on the road eating roadkill, or on the ground in a paddock. Very common, just hard to get close to (was lucky today). JPEG stright from the camera.

Forest Raven by Dale Watson, on Flickr

70. Sooty Oystercatcher - very hard to get close to, sighted maybe 50 or so Pied, this was the only clearly identifiable sooty - cropped.

Sooty Oystercatcher by Dale Watson, on Flickr

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

sue818
sue818's picture

Nice shots, Dale. The Grey Goshawk is a beautiful bird. Pleased to hear you managed to get out & about.

Devster
Devster's picture

Very nice Dale. I do love the Grey Goshawks. That Cormorant does seem quite dirty doesn't he. Wow you certainly managed to get close to those Wattlebirds. I too find there seems to me very few Sooty Oystercatchers in amongst the Pieds.

karentwemlow
karentwemlow's picture

I have never seen a Grey Goshawk, beautiful, but they look quite intimidating don't they? Your one looks to be having a bit of a rest up there, with one foot tucked away?

I'd be happy to write up some stats, it's what I do for a living so I have some really simple software I can use. I could post a weekly or so update?

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