Rare waders become common
Broad-billed Sandpiper
An exceptional summer for rare waders in Victoria.
Up to two Broad-billed Sandpipers regular at the WTP Western lagoons.
Two Long-toed Stints have favoured the western lagoon pond 9. Rarer still a "probable" American Golden Plover has been hanging around with a decent sized flock of Pacific Goldens at Cheetham wetlands near Point Coo
American Golden Plover
Up to six Pectoral Sandpipers have been found at WTP plus others in the west and north of the state.
3 or 4 sightings of Ruff have been reported, both at the WTP and Lake Leaghur near Boort. The first recorded Ruff in Australia was only in 1962 !
A report of an Oriental Plover also at the Cheetham wetlands, Point Cook.
Painted Snipe appeared at Mt St Joseph’s pond in Altona just before it completely dried up. This bird shared the space with Lewin’s Rail and Spotless Crake…..quite an incredible trio of impossible to see birds !
Long-toed Stint
A Cox’s Sandpiper, also at the WTP kept the run going. Cox’s Sandpiper is incredibly rare, and is considered a hybrid between Curlew and Pectoral Sandpiper.
And from further east at Mots beach near Marlo a Beach Stone-Curlew has appeared.