I went to Stockton Sandspit Newcastle NSW and saw a good variety of shorebirds including lots of bar tailed godwits. I didnt take any photos of the godwits as i have plenty of those. However looking later through my photos i noticed a few black tailed godwits in flight amongst a flock of avocets - a new species for me! Now I wish i had taken lots of godwit pictures! I have been searching through my other photos from the day hoping to find a black godwit on land lurking in the background somewhere.
Is the bird at back right a Black Tailed Godwit? I think the straight bill, less streaked head, and white front eyebrow mean it could be - but what is visible of tail does suggest barring rather than black.
What I have identified as Four Black Tail Godwits in flight amongst the avocets
Hi love Stockton sandspit
Yes, the bird at the back left (not back right) is a Black-tailed Godwit - straight bill and plainer plumage than BarTG, and yes you are correct on the birds in flight, 4 x BlackTG and Red-necked Avocets :)
LM
Yes its a great spot - often find something unusual there
Thanks for the reply Snail - its actually an old post that got no replies originally - yes it is the one on the left (not right - sorry!)
A few months later I saw another Black Tail Godwit in flight at the same place, and luckily for me it didnt land amonst the bar tails, but amongst a group of black winged stilts where it really stood out and i got photos of it as a definite sighting.