Waders in the Gulf Country by R
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June J CARRUTHERS, Waders of the Gulf Country 211 1966 Waders in the Gulf Country By R. K. CARRUTHERS, Mount Isa, Queensland During the past eight years I have kept complete records of observations that I have made on Waders in the Mount Isa area, and along the shores and on the off -shore islands of the Gulf of Carpentaria, in northern Australia. As the published reports on the occurrence of Waders in the Northern Territory and in western Queensland are not plentiful, the following records are of interest. They may help to extend some of the distribution records that have been published. Turnstone ( Arenaria inter pres). These birds are common of the off-shore islands in the Gulf of Carpentaria, where they are seen singly or in pairs from September until November. They congregate in large numbers on small islands of the Pellew Group at the end of the wader season in March. Pied Oyster-catcher (Haematopus ostralegus). Common on the Gulf Coast and up to ten miles inland on the salt-pans of McArthur Delta. Also observed on off-shore islands, Pellew Group and Mornington Island. This species was observed at the McArthur-Pellew Group during March, August and December; Mornington Island in September and Karumba in May and August. Sooty Oyster-catcher (H. unicolor). This species frequents the same localities as the Pied Oyster catcher, with which it is commonly seen. Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus). Common on the dam at Mount Isa from August until December or February. Occasionally it will be present throughout the year, and in some years its nests have been found in the months of September to November. Masked Plover (Lobibyx miles). This species of Plover is common throughout the year at Mount Isa, where it breeds in the area of the dam between August to November. It is common throughout north-western Queensland; on the Barkly Tableland in the Northern Territory, and on islands in the Gulf of Carpentaria. It was found breeding during the month of May in an area north of Cloncurry. Banded Plover (Zonifer tricolor). This species is not a common bird in these parts. It was recorded north of Winton in January, 1963, and a flock was observed at Lake Moondarra, Mount Isa, in November, 1964. Eastern Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominicus). One record only so far on the McArthur River, twenty miles from the mouth. Large congregations at Piabla in April 1965; many in full breeding plumage. Mongolian Dotterel (Charadrius mongolus). One caught in a mist net at Vandelin Island, Northern Territory, in December, 1964. 212 CARRUTHERS, Waders of the Gulf Country [ Bird Watcher Oriental Dotterel (C. veredus). Common on the coastal plains of the Gulf Country, north-west Queensland and the Northern Territory. Observed in large numbers in the Burketown area in September 1965. It is a regular visitor to the Mount Isa district. Usually seen from September to November or December in the dam area, but well back from the water, and occasionally seen on bare patches in Gidgee country up to one mile from the water. Red-capped Dotterel (C. alexandrinus). Observed in small numbers on the Gulf Coast, where it was found breeding on a salt-pan near Karumba in April-May 1964. Common in the Mount Isa area from July to December or January, and breeding during October or November. This species was common on Mornington Island in September 1965, and very large flocks were seen, in company with Red-necked Stints (Erolia ruficollis), at Bribie Passage during January 1963. Black-fronted Dotterel (C. melanops). Common in the Mount Isa district and at all water holes, dams, etc., in north-west Queensland and the Northern Territory. At Karumba, on the Gulf Coast, it is common on swamps or dams within half a mile of the sea. It nests at Mount Isa on the dam between September and December, and it is present throughout the year, but less common during the wet season. Australian Dotterel (Peltohyas australis). A number of these Dotterels were present in the Mount Isa area in November and December 1963, but none has been observed since that time. White-headed Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus). Although some of these birds are always present in the Mount Isa area the largest number occurs between August and January; breeding taking place from September to December. The Stilts are common on most of the water-holes and swamps in north-west Queensland and the Northern Territory. Large flocks may be seen on the swamps and sand-spits in the Karumba/ Normanton area, but they are less common in the McArthur River area. Red-necked Avocet ( Recurvirostra novae-hollandiae) This species is rare in the Mount Isa district. Six to ten birds were observed on the dam between August and December 1965. They were probably driven into the water as a result of the drought conditions that were prevailing at that time. Observed at Camooweal and Brunette Downs, Northern Territory, in August 1962. Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis). Common on the Gulf Coast and on the off-shore islands, and very common in the Karumba district. Whimbrel (N. phaeopus). Occurs in the same numbers and m the same areas as the Eastern Curlew. June] CARRUTHERS, Waders of the Gulf Country 213 1966 Little Whimbrel (Mesoscolopax minutus). A regular visitor, in variable numbers, to the Mount Isa district, frequenting the parks and playing fields. There were large numbers on the McArthur River and Borroloola areas in September to November 1964, and huge flocks at Darwin in October and November 1965. Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa). A regular visitor, in small numbers, to the Mount Isa area between September and December, and several birds have been caught in the mist nets. Wood-Sandpiper (Tringa glareola). Occurs at Mount Isa but it is rare. One bird was caught in a mist net in October 1964. Common Sandpiper (T. hypoleuca). A regular visitor to the dam at Mount Isa, where it prefers the sandy areas in the creeks that run into the dam, between September and January. Common on the McArthur and Norman Rivers on the muddy banks. This is one of the earliest migrants to reach the McArthur area, it being observed on August 20, 1965, in numbers. A few birds on the protected beaches on Mornington Island in September 1965. Greenshank (T. nebularia). Observed each year at Mount Isa, usually in singles or in pairs, where it will sometimes feed in the company of White-headed Stilts. It has been recorded from numerous salt-pans on the McArthur Delta and the Pellow Group, Northern Territory, from November until March. Marsh-Sandpiper (T. stagnatilis). This Sandpiper is a regular visitor to Mount Isa. Although it is usually in single birds, collectively it is more common than the Greenshank or the Common Sand piper. Curlew-Sandpiper (Erolia ferruginea). Fairly common at Mount Isa each year, in flocks of up to twelve birds, between September and January. Some of the birds have rufous markings on the breast on their arrival. Red-necked Stint (E. ruficollis). This species is a regular migrant to Mount Isa each year. Usually in small flocks of up to six birds associating with Red-capped Dotterels, and less commonly with the Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Small flocks on the Pellow Group of islands in November 1964, and at Bribie Passage in January 1963. Long-toed Stint (E. subminuta). Observed in 1963 and 1964 at Mount Isa, where a bird was caught in the mist nets each year. In 1964 they were more numerous, three birds being observed in a flock of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (E. acuminata). Very common in the Mount Isa district from late August until January each year. It is the first species of the Waders to arrive. Observed in small numbers on the mud-flats on the McArthur Delta. 214 ROGAN, Willie Wagtail [ Bird Watcher Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris). Seen in flocks of six to twelve birds at Vandelin Island in November 1964, where several birds were caught in the mist nets. Pin-tailed Snipe (Gallinago megala). One bird observed at the dam at Mount Isa in November 1965. Australian Painted Snipe ( Rostratula benghalensis). One bird seen in long grass near the sewerage treatment outlet at Mount Isa, November 1961. Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella). A regular visitor to Mount Isa between September and February, and occasionally staying until March or April. It breeds in the district in November and December. Very common on the plains country of the Barkley Tablelands and the Gulf Coast. On the Barkley Tableland it has been observed nesting after heavy rain had fallen during Fabruary. Southern Stone-Curlew (Burhinus magnirostris). One bird was seen near the dam at Mount Isa, but it is fairly plentiful on the upper sections of the Gregory River. It was observed at Karumba in June 1957, and on the Pellow Group of Islands in March 1965. Willie Wagtail nesting in mine-shafts and on the ground. The nesting site of the Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) is so well known that description of it is unnecessary. However, some years ago a nest was found that was built on the ground and attached to a piece of quartz. This was a most unusual position, as there were hundreds of suitable places available in the open forest trees of the area. Since that time the area has been visited regularly and, as · reported in the Bird Observer, other nests have been found in shallow mine-shafts, where they were attached to the roots of trees that were protruding from the sides of the hole. Each year this district, which is about nine miles south of Maryborough, has been carefully searched for any nests that have been built in mine-holes or on the ground.