Red-kneed Dotterel, Caspian Terns and Square-tailed Kites

Sightings anywhere within a 250 km radius of Toowoomba, but excluding the local survey area (see above), for the period 1 Mar - 31 May 2009.

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Rod Hobson
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Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:03 am

Red-kneed Dotterel, Caspian Terns and Square-tailed Kites

Post by Rod Hobson »

Folks,

I took a quick turn around the Lockyer Valley yesterday morning eventually ending up at Bill Gunn Dam near Laidley where I got the only additional species for the TBO's " Autumn Beyond" list; a lone Red-kneed Dotterel. It was quite a good morning's birding despite the indifferent weather. A pair of Square-tailed Kites seen leisurely circling low down over Forest Hill township proper about 10.30am was probably the highlight of my day.

There was a lot of water mixed in with the birds at Bill Gunn Dam but my most interesting observation was that of six non-breeding adult Caspian Terns working the water there. A lone Great-crested Grebe was the only other bird of note seen at the dam.

On my outward drive this morning I also saw a small flock of six Speckled Warblers foraging along the roadside at Sawpit Gully Road, Rockmount. I can't recollect ever seeing so many of this species together before. Two, occasionally three birds seems to be the norm, in the local area at least.

Regards,
Rod Hobson
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