Slight Return - James Marshall Hendrix

Even though the Banded Stilt had been seen yesterday, there was an element of uncertainty as to whether it should be added to the World List which brought back memories of 2 similar cases of let's say controversy concerning judging the quality of such an addition. The first centred on a Baltimore Oriole at Roch, South Wales in 1989 when, 'in company', I seem to remember it was me who re-located it? Paul Harris was alongside me and soon got onto this 'mega rarity' which we were in fact viewing as a reflection in someones kitchen window. The conversation on the way home revolved round the ethic of, had we not seen it in the flesh later in the day, would we count it - would you???? The second will be touched on later as it also concerns a matter of coincidence.Anyway, it was a good day to return to Hutt Lagoon in the hope of more birds.

There are 2 ways of reaching Port Gregory from Horrocks, one is along the metalled road via Northampton, alternatively a cross country, more direct dirt road. Choosing the latter yesterday, thinking there was more likelihood of wildlife, in so doing counted no fewer than 27 Red-capped Robins (including 3 full-blown males) on this 12Km stretch. Taking the same route this morning, I was in hot pursuit of photographs but only saw one male and 4 distant fems. You would understand the determination if you had ever seen a photo of a male, so good job the loner was on a barbed -wire fence not 10 feet from the car.

RED-CAPPED ROBIN,

what a bird

and what a poser? No sooner had I taken up station at the Salt Pans, and before seeing anything else, this

female RED-CAPPED ROBIN

almost landed on the wing-mirror. A charming little thing in its own right,

this second bird was captured later in the day.

HOARY-HEADED GREBE

along with GREY TEAL and

RICHARD'S PIPIT were added to the rapidly increasing new list. Sat there quietly watching, a nearby movement caught my eye and looking down saw this

AUSTRALIAN (Spotted) CRAKE at very close quarters.

Repositioning to get a shot was difficult, and a couple of times it retreated to the undergrowth but eventually grew bolder remaining on view for ages.

Whether this species should already be on my World List was the other point of conjecture arising during the 2007 trip to Aus.

On that occasion I found a pond holding a number of Chestnut Teal, a 'lifer' at the time, affording good views and a good photo opportunity. 

Editing the images that evening, there in one of the shots was an Australian Crake which had been overlooked. I never did count it but today that issue was redressed - TICK! An excellent day already, it may sound churlish to moan about the absence of Waders and Stilts but none were showing today. Time for lunch, which as yesterday was taken at the seafront, and just to sit there watching the rollers of the Indian Ocean crashing over the exposed reef gave a great feeling of well being.

Yes, it's PACIFIC GULL time again

as the temptation is too great not to click away at such a mighty bird.

PIED OYSTERCATCHER were also showing well, so why not? Click, Click!

Returning to the Pans, things appeared unchanged except for a few tiny birds foraging in the vegitation.

At first glance it seemed they were a Plover of sorts, but when one took flight and landed in a bush it became clear they were not.

Again the Mighty Midget was brought into play allowing identification of WHITE-FRONTED CHAT which had been added to the World List only a few days ago. This area was proving very fruitful and with every chance of catching up with the afore mentioned it has already been decided on another return tomorrow.

Lily the Pink - Scaffold

It was decided that this camp would be just the spot to enjoy the luxury of a bed for a change, and an ideal springboard to 'scratch that itch' which is a revisit to the Salt Pans at Port Gregory. Readers may remember that on that first visit there was hardly a bird to be seen (certainly no water or shore-birds), but the potential seemed great and well worthy of another look

On the way back the first MISTLETOE bird of the trip was found, but an unobliging little devil which only allowed production of this single poor shot.

Therefore we have resorted to Wiki Wonder to publish 'not to be missed'

images of this avian delight. More were seen during the drive to Horrocks but again without photos.

For me it's always good to get back to the coast, and very quickly on this occasion

managed these fair photos of a long overdue 'flying' PIED CORMORANT.

Still plenty of AUSTRALIAN MAGPIE-LARKs about

and the odd fly-by PACIFIC GULL but it was time to check in. Chris, of German ancestry, looks after the place here and along with a few staff take very good care of all guests. Having settled in, stowed the food bought en-route and made acquaintance with some new mates (who are very fond of Ritz crackers) LAUGHING TURTLE DOVE

there was just time to commit this HAWK-MOTH to the fridge for closer inspection later. To give some idea of the lie of the land

this photo was taken at NORTHAMPTON, the main hub of an open community here, where I got the groceries and may find a reliable source of Internet connection should it be needed. So, the hour had arrived, late afternoon, to find out if my hunch had been worth the drive back and although we have seen, and published photos of

GALAH

before these almost Christmasy images

were already making it worthwhile.

RELAX? I don't think so! Even though I would be sitting down for the next few hours it was not to RELAX!

Just before reaching the sign above and about one mile from the village centre there are a series of half a dozen small pools on the left

and the wide expanse of what I now know to be The Pink (Hutt) Lagoon.

Salt, I am told, is no longer gathered here but this naturally occurring phenomenon that occurs when algae 'blooms' and produces beta carotene, a pigment that is a far more lucrative aquaculture crop.

Back across the road and a little nearer town are the redundant Salt Pans, part promising looking fore-shore

while the rest is open, shallow water. This is where I was hoping to find some action,

and even from a distance 'small' Waders could be seen which couldn't have been too impressed with my approach and became even more distant. Stints, most certainly but that far away even with the 'scope could not be positively identified, not by me at least.

There were however (3) other 'fish to fry'

 the first of which were about 50 very elegant

RED-NECKED AVOCET.

Next 2 dozen BLACK-NECKED STILT, some adults

along with a few still showing traces of juvenile plumage were seen.

Along with all of these was one showing a pure white head and neck, which I photographed simply because it looked so beautifully pristine. The final 'fish' was the real McCoy

as Chris's husband Robert had been fishing the reef, just a mile off-shore, including me in his success with this huge side of

 

 REEF TROUT much sort after even around here. Gently 'kissed' each side in butter for a couple of minutes on the barbie, what an end to a day when the hunch turned up trumps!

Checking through the day's photographs later in the evening, I noticed 'The Beautiful One' had more than a trace of reddish-brown about the shoulder and upper breast and a quick thumb through the Field Guide proved it to be not a Black-necked Stilt at all but an adult

BANDED STILT

a LIFER but could you count it under such circumstances? More of that later, but for now I have to prepare for an early start tomorrow.