Australian Pratincole

Same rules apply as for the "250 in 2006" Challenge. Seems 250's no pushover locally, especially in a drought! Nevertheless, 250's achievable and will continue to remain our annual target. Report sightings ASAP for everyone's benefit.

And from now on we'll just refer to it as "The Challenge".

Moderator: Mick Atzeni

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Bill Jolly
Posts: 352
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2006 9:57 am
Location: Lockyer Valley

Australian Pratincole

Post by Bill Jolly »

Not sure where to post this, because it's new for autumn, new for the 2007 Challenge, and new for the TBO list!

Seen from the Abberton verandah on Wednesday morning, by Eileen and our son Owen (visiting from Wales), two Australian Pratincoles flew in from the south, and sailed up and around in unison over the presently dry creek for about a minute, alternating cruising on long swept-back wings with occasional synchronised flapping.

Instantly recognisable as pratincoles, and showing the bright sandy back
and wings contrasting with black primaries and secondaries that mark out
the Australian from Oriental. The tail shape is very different between the two species, but the observers here were too excited during the brief display to note anything about the tail!

Spotted Harrier here regularly over the last few days, and a couple of Wedge-tailed Eagles not too high over the pratincoles.

Our first Rose Robin of the season arrived a couple of days ago.

Bill Jolly
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