Large Flock of Sanderling at Port Fairy, Victoria by MICHAEL J

Vol. 6 JUNE 15, 1976 No.6 Large Flock of Sanderling at Port Fairy, Victoria By MICHAEL J. CARTER, Frankston, GRACIE BOWKER, Port Fairy, and ANDREW C. ISLES, Warrnambool, Victoria. About mid September 1974, Gracie Bowker discovered a flock of between 200 and 300 Sanderling, Calidris alba, on a beach about 5 km west of Port Fairy in Western Victoria. Sanderling normally summer on this beach, known locally as the Little River Beach, but a flock of this size was unprecedented. Large numbers of Sanderling continued to frequent this beach for the next five and a half months, the highest counts being 320 on October 25, 1974, (A.C.I.), and 290 on January 24, 1975, (M.J.C.). None were there on March 1, 1975, (A.C.I.). However, on March 7, 1975, Andrew C. Isles discovered a gathering of at least 400 Sanderling on the kelp beach between The Cutting and Rogers Rocks over 10 km east of Port Fairy. On March 9, the flock had apparently moved 4 km west to Sisters Point, where 250 were found grouped behind clumps of kelp on the sandspit. They were still present on March 12 when the flock was estimated to exceed 380 (G.B.). Sanderlings seen subsequently were 16 between The Cutting and Killarney beach on March 31 and 30 at Little River and 44 at Sisters Point on April6, 1975. These gatherings, we believe, are the largest so far reported in Australia. While the Sanderling is normally regarded as a widespread summeP migrant to Australian beaches it is not normally con sidered common. Condon and McGill (1974) state that it is "noticeably rare" and Wheeler (1967) classified it. as "rare" in Victoria. Large gatherings previously reported include a flock of 200 at Goolwa beach, South Australia, and 200 in the vicinity of Wilson's Promontory, Eastern Victoria (Cooper 1970 and 197 5). In Queensland, a flock of about 100 frequents one section of the ocean beach of North Stradbroke Island, the maximum count being 120 on March 23, 1974. (C. Corben, pers. comm.) Several beaches of the Warrnambool-Port Fairy coastline have long been favoured by Sanderling (refer map) but flocks usually contain less than 30 birds. Prior to the 1974-75 season the largest flock seen was 80 on March 25, 1970, at Rogers Ro:ks, The Basin. 173 174 CARTER et al. [ Bird Watcher It may be significant that some other local beaches normally frequented by Sanderling, such as The Basin and Killarney, were virtually vacated by this species and other waders in 197 4-7 5. This could be due to increased tourist activity resulting from improved access, and the increasing illegal use of trail bikes and beach buggies. The Little River Beach is comparatively secluded, access being via a rough, sometimes boggy track, across private land. Thus this exceptional concentration could be partially caused by alienation of other traditional haunts. Whilst camped on the Little River Beach between January 21 to 25, 1975, Michael J. Carter noted that the number present varied markedly from day to day. Counts on January 22, 23 and 24 were 75, 215 and 290 respectively. A search of other local and apparently suitable beaches, failed to locate their alternative haunt. LITTLE RIVER BEACH The sandy stretch of this beach extends for 600 metres with low but substantial outcrops of basalt at each end. It is backed by low sand dunes, and has a width of between 10 and 20 m at high tide, extending to about 50 m at low tide except at the western end where it widens considerably at the mouth of a small fresh-water stream. During wet weather this stream flows across the beach to empty into the sea. Off shore, in common with much of this coastline, there are basalt reefs which shelter the beach from violent wave action. Kelp and other sea debris collect along the high tide line. FEEDING AND BATHING At Little River, the Sanderling fed mainly in characteristic manner along the water's edge, advancing and retreating with the surf. To a lesser degree they searched for food among rot ting kelp deposits, and occasionally around the pool at the mouth of the stream. If disturbed when the tide was rising they would fly to the reef at the western end of the beach. Here they formed a compact flock on a section not yet inundated, enabling some birds to search for food in the pools and seaweed left by the previous tide. Gradually the incoming tide would force them onto the exposed boulders of the reef proper to await the ebb tide. The number of Sanderling on the reef was sometimes larger than the count on the beach indicating this high tide roost at tracted birds feeding elsewhere. As the Sanderling chased rapidly after the receding waves, none of the movement of their flashing legs was betrayed by the poise of their body, so level was their carriage. They seemed mounted on wheels rather than legs. Sometimes a Red-necked Stint, Calidris ruficollis, would join the Sanderling in this race against the waves, stopping suddenly to jab quickly at the newly uncovered sand in very similar manner. Cooper ( 1970), mentions watching Sanderling bathe in wet sand at Wilson's Promontory by splashing water and sand over June Large Flock of Sanderlings 175 1976 ] themselves with a rapid movement of their wings. The Port Fairy birds allowed the receding sand-laden surf to do the work for them. They would run about a metre into the receding wave and would then crouch, facing with the current, so that only their heads were above the water. The feathers were raised to aid passage of the sandy water through the plumage. They would then shake themselves and retreat above the water line before the next incoming wave engulfed them. IDENTIFICATION The bird most likely to be confused with the Sanderling is the Red-necked Stint. These species are basically similar in shape, general appearance, flight pattern, and can have similar feeding habits. The larger size, more dumpy shape, proportionately longer bill and paler colouration of the Sanderling are readily distinguish able when both species are seen together, but when only one species is present, confusion is possible. Stints can often appear very pale and are variable in size and bill length. The much vaunted black shoulder of the Sanderling is often hidden or obscure especially in mid-summer and Stints sometimes give the appearance of having a similar mark. In flight, the wing bar of the Sanderling is broader and more prominent and at some seasons (especially autumn), highlighted by strong contrast with a blackish leading edge to the wing. However this contrast is less evident in mid-summer. N t l Ganderling Haunt~ £cale: km lOANDE8.LING HAUNJ~ 176 CARTER et. al., Large Flock of Sanderlings [ Bird Watcher In non-breeding plumage, the Sanderling shows particularly white about the head, especially the forehead, and this is always a good field mark. However, the most tangible character for use in mid-summer, not requiring judgement of degree, is the pattern of the individual feathers of the back. In the Sanderling they are brownish grey with narrow pale edges whilst in the Stint, they are brown with small dark centres. A diagnostic feature is the lack of a hind toe. At close range with the aid of high powered optical aids this character can sometimes be determined in the field. OTHER WADERS Other waders of the Little River beach and adjacent reefs are:- Pied Oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus. Common, often feeding on the beach. Sooty Oystercatcher, H. fuliginosus. Single birds, often in associa tion with H. ostralegus. Spur-winged Plover, Vanellus novaehollandiae. Occasionally comes on to the beach. Eastern Golden Plover, Pluvialis dominica. Flocks of up to 50 on the reefs and occasionally on the beach. Hooded Dotterel, Charadrius cucullatus. A few always on the beach. Red-capped Dotterel, C. alexandrinus. Common resident. Breeds at the western end of the beach. Double-banded Dotterel, C. bicinctus. Winter visitor, arriving usually in February. Large-billed Dotterel, C. leschenaultii. One found by M.J.C. on January 24, 1975, was still present on April 6, 1975. This is believed to be the first record for the district. Turnstone, Arenaria interpres. Common on the beach, usually less than 30. Some overwinter. · Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus. 2 on January 28, 1975. Prefer the rocky promontories of the district. Common Sandpiper, Tringa hypoleucos. Single birds regularly fre quent the rocks east of the beach. Grey-tailed Tattler, Tringa brevipes. One on December 10, 1973 (A.C.I.). Red-necked Stint, Calidris ruficollis. In good numbers, usually 100, every year. Often accompany Sanderling. Curlew Sandpiper, C. ferruginea. Small numbers, but particularly scarce 1974-75. Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica. None 1974-75 but small numbers at the river entrance in other years. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mr. J. Clapp of Port Fairy, kindly let M.J.C. camp on his property adjacent to Little River Beach. Mr. G. E. Cerini of Tower Hill Game Reserve made available relevant files and Mr. A. Marshall assisted in preparation of the map. June GARDNER and GARDNER, Queensland 177 1976 ] Record of Asiatic Dowitcher REFERENCES Condon, H. T. and McGill, A. R., 1974. Field Guide to the Waders, Bird Observers Club. Cooper, Roy P., 1970. "The Sanderling on Wilson's Promon tory," Aust. Bird Watcher, 3:247. Cooper, Roy P., 1975. "The Avifauna of Wilson's Promontory," Aust. Bird Watcher, 6:22. Learmonth, N. F., 1966. Birds of the Portland (Victoria) Dis trict, Portland Field Naturalist Club. Wheeler, W.

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