Birds & Birding in the NT

Single adult emu with one chick 10km north of Sandy Creek in Litchfield NP

Up to 500 Fork-tailed Swifts seen along the kakadu Highway, about 25km from Pine Creek.

A single Red-necked Avocet seen at Katherine Sewage Works today.

Two Pink-eared Ducks at Leanyer Sewage Ponds this morning. Rather a small number and somewhat late in the year for a first appearance.
The Little Grebe was still present.
Only one, perhaps two, Little Ringed Plovers.
No Ruff
Other ducks still increasing in number. An influx of Grey Teal particularly noticeable.

A Grey Wagtail was found (and photographed) at Twin Falls in Kakadu NP on 5 October. It was seen also on 7 November. Twin Falls is now closed to the public so unless it moves elsewhere, there's not much chance of seeing it. Thanks to Luke Paterson for reporting the sighting.

McMinn's Lagoon:
-- Swinhoe's Snipe, 1: first for the season
-- Oriental Pratincole, 2
-- Brown Songlark, 1

Holmes Jungle:
-- Oriental Cuckoo, 1
-- Red-backed Button-quail, 1

Botanic Gardens:
-- Rufous Owl, 2: on a fairly low branch directly above the nearest rainforest track

Howard Springs:
-- Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove: single chick (very young) perched on branch beside nest, which was still occupied by the adult. The egg-laying date for this nest is uncertain but the nest was under construction on 11 Oct.
-- Rainbow Pitta: still building nest on top of pandanus about 5-6m high; presumably the same bird was seen carrying a twig to to the top of the pandanus on 2 Nov, when there was so little of the nest constructed that it was not actually visible.

Lee Point:
-- Buff-sided Robin, 1: Obviously the same bird as recorded on many previous occasions. Interesting that it is still around.

Leanyer Sewage Works:
-- Australian Pratincole, 1: Quite a late bird

At Buffalo Creek this evening a pair of Chestnut Rails came out with 3 chicks. The adults went down to the water for a bath and a drink but only one of the chicks ventured that far. They all stayed out in the open for quite some time, giving excellent views.

Little Grebe still present this morning.

Little Grebe, Leanyer Sewage Works
Photo: Niven McCrie, 08 Nov 2008

Little Grebe, Leanyer Sewage Works
Photo: Niven McCrie, 08 Nov 2008

Little Grebe still present.
One Ruff seen amongst quite a large number of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers.
4 Little Ringed Plovers
One Eastern Yellow Wagtail that flew off very quickly and didn't return.
Several Gull-billed Terns, including one showing red on the basal half of the bill.

Gull-billed Tern with unusual bill colour, Leanyer Sewage Works
Photo: Niven McCrie, 06 Nov 2008

For a few years now, up to 3 or 4 Little Egrets of the nominate race have been seen at Leanyer Sewage Works, with a couple of sightings of individuals at Knuckey Lagoon and elsewhere. I thought it time to post a photograph of one, particularly as this individual is in such nice breeding plumage. Note the yellow feet and greenish facial skin. The legs and bill are almost tar black, helping make the bird look very striking.

Little Egret of nominate race, Leanyer Sewage Works
Photo: Niven McCrie, 05 Nov 2008

Two Ruffs at the sewage works today. Whilst I only saw one this morning and again this evening the presence of two was confirmed by other observers during the day.

Little Grebe still present in same pond this evening. Whilst it came close to the edge for one visitor today it didn't do so for me. The photo below is a collage of the Little and an Australasian Grebe taken this evening.

Little & Australasian Grebes, Leanyer Sewage Works
Photo (composite): Niven McCrie, 05 Nov 2008