Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Unexpected Birding

Inskip Point is beautiful and I enjoy a trip out there even if I don't expect to see many birds.
Looking across the channel to Fraser Island

The sand island in the middle of the Strait is a good place for birds to roost away from people.

A flock of shorebirds had been disturbed from somewhere. They looked to be mainly Eastern Curlews.

Before I even got out to the sand spit at the end of the Point I saw Beach Stone-curlews. There are usually two birds somewhere out there - and once I saw three birds - one a juvenile - BUT 4 birds all together were completely unexpected. Even here in Queensland this bird is listed as vulnerable and in New South Wales it is critically endangered. It will be interesting to see if all these birds stay in the area or if a pair of them are just passing through.

The second surprise came when I got out to the sand at the end of the point. There were people, cars and a few Silver Gulls. Then I saw a small dark bird flying over the shallow water and every now and again dropping down to pick something out of the water. It took me ages and multiple photos before I could get some clear views. (I seldom have to photograph flying birds! They usually sit nice and quietly at the roost sites!) I finally saw that the bird was a Noddy (Anous)- a bird I have never seen at Inskip before. Common Noddies (Anous tenuirostris) and White-headed Noddies (Anous minutus) look very similar but I think this one is a Common Noddy -  if I am wrong I will be happy to be corrected! I have just received a very helpful comment re the ID of this bird. It seems that it is more likely to be a White-headed Noddy. Go read the comment itself for the fine points of ID. Thanks to Martin for taking the time for all the details.

For more scenery from around the world visit Our World Tuesday

and for more birds visit Wild Bird Wednesday



28 comments:

  1. What a place and gorgeous photography of nature's critters!
    Happy Week to you,
    artmusedog and carol

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pretty views of the water, Nick! I love the cute Stone-Curlew and the Noddie is cool. Great photos! Have a happy day and new week ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  3. the noddy is very cool as are the stone-curlews! awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  4. just beautiful photos - that's my sort of day out :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mick
    From my field guide the difference between the two species seems to be whether the white is separated from the rest of the head by a dark mark (Common Noddy) or a dark face (Black, or White-capped, Noddy). I think from your excellent photos that it is more of a dark face. The underwing also looks darker which tends to confirm that view. That seems to be the less common of the two species in your area.

    Martin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Martin and thanks very much for the ID. All I can say is that the ID is not easy. I think I would need to see quite a few more birds - of both kinds - to be comfortable with it at all. Many thanks.

      Delete
  6. You never know what you will find at Inskip great to see that many Beach Stone-curlew and the Noddy.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Always such beautiful scenery. Love the curlews. Really terrific shots!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a lovely day out and gorgeous shots of the birds!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The last photo really shows off his unusual good looks. Nice day!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Serendipity! To find all these birds when you didn't expect them is fantastic. And the noddy! Wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful in-flight photos. All of the birds are very striking-looking!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congrats on taking such fine photos of the White-headed Noddy. How kind of Martin to check the bird out. I really like it when someone who knows more than I do comes forward with the correct identification.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's a fabulous looking bird. Love it's contrasting white head.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your scenery and birds just make me want to travel every time I see your posts.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great pictures ;-)
    Céline & Philippe

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love the birds and that beautiful place! The stone curlews and the noddies are wonderful! Love the dark feathers of the noddy. Great photos!

    ReplyDelete
  17. such a nice surprise. :) I did see two beach curlews but only far away. And Noddies but the common one. Great birds both of them :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wonderful sightings and photos. I love the Noddy's coloring.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great shots of the island with beautiful birds.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great captures.We have bush stone curlews up here and they certainly can make a racket. I nearly run over them coming home in the middle of the night on the city streets, good thing they run fast as they are hard to spot in the dark. Good think you persevered with the in flight photos. I find them hard too, I am never prepared for them.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Mick, I love that sparkling water in your first shot. Fabulous bird images - and how cool to read the identifying comments above too. Always something new to learn. Really great post :D)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow gorgeous Common Noddy!!!! What an awesome bird. Birdwise, you had an amazing day. Plus the shot of the 4 Curlews is a real catch. Hope you are well!

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a great morning - I'd have been happy with either of the star birds - but both is being greedy!

    It would seem the weather is a little better than in Melbourne today!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wonderful captures Mick - especially the 4 curlews together. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Just such great shares and the days just never bring the same gifts, and sometimes we have great surprises, wonderful~

    ReplyDelete