70 SMITH, Wader Observations in Southern Victoria [ Bird Watcher Wader Observations in Southern Victoria, 1962-1963 By F. T. H. SMITH, Kew, Victoria The following records and observations were compiled from Melbourne and southern Victoria during the north-south migratory wader season, from August, 1962, until May, 1963. My inter­ pretation of the duration of such a season is from approximately mid-August, when the first waders arrive, until about the first week in May in the following year, when the out going birds have departed. Of course, this does not apply to the Double-banded Dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus), which migrates from east to west, returning to New Zealand to breed when the north-south migrants are arriving; or to the local Charadriidae which appear to have, in most cases, a very limited movement outside of the breeding months. All the records and notes are from my own field ob­ servations, excepting where otherwise acknowledged. Each of the 40 species recorded was confirmed by fellow observers, but, naturally, not every bird seen by me was seen by others. The season was an exceptionally interesting one with some species of the northern migrants arriving in large numbers, and some of the less common ones showing up to add spice to an already well flavoured dish. The majority of the records came from the outer western suburbs of Melbourne, and a good many others from the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works Sewerage Farm, less than 30 miles south-west of Melbourne. A few trips were made further afield to such places as coastal South Gippsland; Mud Islands in Port Phillip Bay; parts of the Geelong district and to the Somers area of the Mornington Peninsula. During the field excursions 10 x and 16 x binoculars were used. All rare and unfamiliar species were very carefully studied for long periods before becoming eligible for inclusion in this paper. To all those friends, mostly fellow members of the Bird Observers Club, who gave me transport on the longer trips, and to the Victorian Ornithological Research Group, who made the Mud Islands visit possible, I give my grateful thanks. The list order and nomenclature follow The Official Checklist of the Birds of Australia, R.A.O.U., 1926, and amendments, with the exception of a species lately recorded, namely the Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus). MAIN LOCALITIES MENTIONED IN THE TEXT FISHERMAN'S BEND: A fiat; swampy area near the east side of the mouth of the Yarra River, taken up mainly by Port facilities, factories and rubbish dumps, about three and a half miles south­ west from the centre of Melbourne. WILLIAMSTOWN RIFLE-RANGE: About six miles, south­ west of Melbourne. The wide, tidal, sandy-mud fiats of Port Phillip Bay that are behind the butts, and an area at the west section of the property consisting of 12, one acre, mostly overgrown, June ] SMITH, Wader Observations in Southern Victoria 71 1964 shallow, man-made ponds and some less extensive shallow swampy parts. MADDOX ROAD SWAMP: Situated at west Williamstown, approximately six miles south-west of Melbourne. A large shallow, densely vegetated, swamp under reclamation. SEAHOLME: Wide tidal, sandy-mud flats on the north shore of Port Phillip Bay, about seven miles south-west of Melbourne. CHERRY'S SWAMP: A large shallow freshwater swamp, devoid of surface vegetation, at Altona, seven miles south-west of Melbourne. KOROROIT CREEK: The wide, well-vegetated bend, ad­ jacent to the north side of Cherry's Swamp. NELLIE STREET SWAMP: Part of Cherry's Swamp adjoining the south-west corner. GOLF-LINKS AND DAIRYFARM SWAMPS: Large open, shallow swamps lacking surface vegetation, about one mile west of the Altona railway station. ALTONA-LAVERTON SALTINGS: Approximately ten miles south-west of Melbourne. A large area of commercially worked open salt-paddocks and saline swamps. POINT COOK AREA: Tidal sand and mud-flats. with some rocky areas, on the north-western shore of Port Phillip Bay, and some freshwater swamps just back from the shoreline, about 12 miles south-west of Melbourne. THE MELBOURNE AND METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS SEWERAGE FARM, WERRIBEE: An extensive area of farmland and sewerage treatment ponds and lagoons, through which flows the Little River, between 20 and 30 miles south-west of Melbourne. LakeJ3orrie-is on the farm, and the often visited sandspit on the north shore of Corio Bay, known locally as "The Spit", is reached via the farm roads. AVALON SALTWORKS: A large area of commercially worked open salt-padocks and swamps, on the north shore of Corio Bay just over 35 miles south-west of Melbourne. MOOLAP SALTWORKS: An extensive commercial saltworks at Stingaree Bay, Geelong, about 50 miles south-west of Melbourne. SWAN BAY and QUEENSCLIFF: Both in the Geelong district about 65 miles from Melbourne, by road, at the terminus of the Bellarine Highway. Wide tidal mud-flats at Swan Bay and sandy beach at Queenscliff. MUD ISLANDS: Three closely grouped low sandy-mud islets largely covered with salt-scrub. There is a large shallow central lagoon. The islands are about 40 miles due south of Melbourne in Port Phillip Bay. Access is usually gained by fishing boat from either Queenscliff to the west or Portsea to the east. SOMERS AREA (MORNINGTON PENINSULA): Approxi­ mately 40 to 50 miles south-east of Melbourne. Sloping sandy beaches, wide extensive areas of soft mud and mangroves, and at least two ornithologically important freshwater lagoons. SOUTH GIPPSLAND TOUR: Undertaken by four observers, by car, from February 23 to 25, 1963. Beginning at Shallow 72 SMITH, Wader Observations in Southern Victoria [ Bird Watcher

Jnlet about 115 miles east of Melbourne and covering a stretch of nearly 60 miles of coastline eastward to Jack Smiths Lake, east of Woodside. Most of the coastline visited consists of wide ex­ tensive soft mud tidal-flats, well studded with mangroves in places. Small migratory waders were scarce but the largest of the group, the Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), abounded. SPECIES OBSERVED AND FIELD NOTES : TURNSTONE (Arena ria interpres): F irst seasonal record was of one bird, in eclipse plumage, on a rocky section of mud-flat, near Seaholme, on October 22. At the Werribee sewerage farm on December 22, one eclipse plumaged bird was feeding about freshwater puddles in a large clay-bottomed treatment pan that was under construction. During the Mud Islands visit at the end of January, 1963, several birds were noted each day and it was estimated that over 50 birds were present. They were scattered about the islands, singly and in groups. The largest number that I saw together was 15 birds. All birds were in non-breeding plumage, but some were brighter on the upper parts and darker breasted than others. They were observed flying about frequently, and much calling was indulged in whilst on the ground and in the air. Long and entertaining periods were spent watching them "bull-dozing" and turning over seaweed, and flipping over sea-shells and other small objects in search of delicacies. PIED OYSTERCATCHER : (Haernatopus ostralegus): On October 21 , there were ten on the mud-flats at Seaholme, and they were noticed in the vicinity for the next two months, during which time their numbers dwindled until only one remained on December 8. On each visit to The Spit, at Werribee, I never observed less than two birds, and on October 4, a nest was found prettily sited amid very short, flowering salt-herbage, and well lined with small sea-shells and pieces of larger shell. It held two eggs. This species, in contrast to such a home defending bird as the Spur-winged Plover (Lobibyx novae-hol/andiae), keeps well away when anyone is near the nest. Nevertheless, alarm may be expressed at a distance if eggs are heavily incubated or nestlings are about. Sometimes they will winter at The Spit and then groups of 50 or more may be seen. The largest flock noted by me, during the season, was of 25 birds on April 25. Pairs and small groups were also seen at such places as Point Cook, Swan Bay jetty and Sandy Point in the Somers area. On March 9, there were about 40 birds at "The Nits" area, a little north of Rhyll on Phillip Island. Over 30 birds were on Mud Islands at the end of January, 1963, and during the South Gippsland tour pairs and small parties were noted about the coastal mud-flats, from Shallow Inlet to Woodside Be'ach. The largest flock was 32 at McLaughlin Beach. SOOTY OYSTERCATCHER (H. unicolor): One bird was seen at Mud Islands at the end of January, 1963, and during the tour of South Gippsland towards the end of February, 1963, they were scattered along the muddy coastline in singles, pairs and small groups. During this trip unicolor outnumbered ostralegus and on February 23, I made a count from where I was standing on the wide tidal flats, at Shallow Inlet, of all the birds in sight. There were 40 readily recognisable birds with dark blobs dotted all about, too far away for positive identification, which may well have been other "Sooties". No concentrated flocks were seen, but on one occasion 12 birds were observed in an area of about one acre. RED-KNEED DOTTEREL (Erythrogenys cinctus): I had not seen this species near Melbourne for some years until October 21, 1962, when_there were three on mud-fringed islets at the wide bend of the Kororoit Creek. On November 13 there were four at the same place. They were not noted there again but, on November 22, three· were seen at the west side of the Maddox Road Swamp, a mile to the east, and a week later there were five. Anxiety shown by a pair at that swamp on December 15 led to the finding of a nest with four eggs on a tiny muddy islet. One bird exhibited a rather elaborate display whilst I was near the nest. The bird, with wings out­ spread and turned half-forward, presenting the upper surfaces, crouched on June J SMlTH, Wader Observations in Southern Victoria 73 1964 a muddy fringe with its head near the water and tail pointing to the sky. Sometimes the bill touched the mud and occasionally it was submerged in the water, all the while the anxiety notes were being uttered. Another observer saw chicks near the nest area on December 23, and for a week or two afterwards I noted agitated pare"nt birds in the vicinity. There was a full grown juvenile-plumaged bird at the Williamstown rifle-range swamps on January I, 1963. It was too old to have been from the nest noted earlier at the Maddox Road Swamp. It lacked any black colouring on the chest and under parts, this region being white. All other characteristics were evident even to the deep pink "knees". AUSTRALIAN SPUR-WINGED PLOVER (Lobibyx novae-hol/andiae): This species was common during the period and bred freely in and near all the areas mentioned. Several nests with eggs and many young, out of the nest, were observed. Each year this early breeder begins to form small flocks about mid-spring, and from early autumn to mid-winter small and large assemblies, sometimes comprising hundreds of birds, may be seen. At approximately mid-winter pairing off begins and they take up widely separated breeding territories, which are zealously guarded against all intruders. The main egg laying period appears to be in the months of July and August, falling off in September and almost ceasing in October. T he main flocking areas near Melbourne are the Williamstown Rifle-Range, the wide bend of the Kororoit Creek, the Altona-Laverton Saltings and the Werribee sewerage farm. BANDED PLOVER (Zonifer tricolor): Whilst walking through a grassy­ flat inte"rsected by rough dirt roads, at Fisherman's Bend, near the mouth of the Yarra River, on November I 0, a compact fl ock of 14 Banded Plovers came flying low over the area. The birds appeared to be on a long distance move judging by their restlessness and noisy clamour. Several times they rushed past me and twice alighted on the bare tracks. They were not seen in the area a week later. Between Geelong and Queenscliff on November 20, many birds were noticed in the fields on either side of the Bellarine Highway, most being near the Marcus Hill State School. Earlier the same day there were about I 00 in a wide field on the south side of the· Melbourne-Geelong Road, near Lara. On Felu:uary 4",' 1963, four were noted in a field just west of Yarram, south-east Gippsland and on March 30, two near Little River township. GREY PLOVER (Piuvialis squatarola): Seen onl y at Mud Islands during this se"ason. On the arrival of our party on January 26, 1963, over 50 birds in eclipse plumage were seen. T hey soon became alarmed and most of them left the islands immediately, not to return during our stay. The few birds remaining stood about singly or in two's or three's and remained extremely wary. Frequently they mixed with Eastern Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominicus) showing to advantage that they were larger, plumper and more "bull-headed" in appearance than that species. In flight the white rump, barred dark grey tail, white upper wing bars and black auxillaries showed to perfection. EASTERN GOLDEN PLOVER (P/uvialis dominicus): F irst noticed on rocks and mud-flats at Seaholme on September 27, and later, on the same day, seven birds were seen resting in short grass at the east shore of Cherry's Swamp. Some birds showed the marking of the recent breeding garb, two being black on the under parts, but none was in full nuptial plumage. From then on their numbers gradually increased. When the tide" was out at Seaholme they fed about the mud-flats, coming in to squat in the short grass on the eastern shore at Cherry's Swamp, about a mile away, as the tide returned. It was a pleasing sight to see the birds scattered loosely in the grass, each crouching behind a tiny deep red plant of the salt-marsh variety. I saw them at rest at Cherry's Swamp on several occasions. I never deliberately tried to distur b them, but once or twice they became nervous as I passed by, about one hundred feet away, and they left their positions to fl y another hundred feet further off, where they would stand and watch until I was well away. If the tide was in 74 SMITH, Wader Observations in Southern Victoria [ Bird Watcher

they would return to their roosting positions in the grass, but if the tide was ebbing they would leave the swamp edge and fly to the bayside to perch on rocks projecting from the water, or commence feeding about the mud-flat as it became uncovered. On November 19 there' were 23 birds on the Seaholme mud-flats and later, with the tide in, 27 at Cherry's Swamp. These were in varied plumage, no two appearing closely similar. Some were in full eclipse plumage and others were in varying degrees of nuptial dress with some dark blotches on the under parts. One bird was larger than the others and might have differed at least sub-specifically. The peak of numbers at Altona was noted on December 12, when there were 40 at Cherry's Swamp. Small groups of up to a dozen were seen at the sewerage farm, Werribee, The Spit, and Point Cook and, on December 12, there were 40 at the latter place. On Mud Islands at the end of January 1963, about 20 eclipse plumaged birds were observed, and at Shallow Inlet, South Gippsland on February 23, 1963, there· were 63 with one in almost full breeding plumage. Another 30 were noted at McLaughlin Beach. Approximately from the end of February and the beginning of March, birds in the Seaholme-Aitona area were brightening noticeably in the spangling of the upper parts and darkening below. On March II, two birds in a group of 39 at Cherry's Swamp appeared to be in full nuptial feathering and on March 31, out of a flock of 40 at Seaholme, seven were in full breeding plumage, several changing and the rest in eclipse. Among the breeding plumaged birds there were two distinct patterns, five showed a clear, wide, unmarked white division between the black under parts and the mottled upper parts and white under tail-coverts. The other two had blackish under tail-coverts and lacked the white dividing line between upper and under parts. Instead the black of the belly came right up to the folded wing, almost to the wing bend. It is possible that there was a specific difference and armed with more prior knowledge of Golden Plovers, I hope to be able to check on this aspect during the 1963-1964 season. The last group seen in the period under notice was of six birds near the mouth of the Kororoit Creek on April 4. Two appeared to be in full breeding garb, the others almost so. They had departed by April 28, when one nuptial plumaged bird with a badly damaged leg was seen. It also had disappeared a few days later. A memorable picture of infinite natural beauty and grace is of several of these birds, dressed for the northern spring, standing, in mid-April, in bright green, short grass in brilliant late afternoon sunshine, showing their reflections in the still waters of Cherry's Swamp overflow. HOODED DOTTEREL (Charadrius cucullatus): There were four to­ gether on a very wide gently sloping, clean sandy ocean beach near Shallow Inlet, South Gippsland on February 23, 1963. On March 17, there were seven on extensive tidal mud-flats on the east side of Sandy Point, near Somers, all being in adult plumage. A compact group of five flew from the area, rising high as they passed swiftly overhead, ap­ parently on a protracted flight. As they flew they uttered loud, drawn-out, gutteral chattering notes almost continuously, the sound of which I had not heard before. I had looked for much larger birds before realising that the calls came from the Dotterels. Probably the notes are used only when a long flight is under way. MONGOLIAN SAND-DOTTEREL (C. mongo/us): Approximately 30 birds in eclipse plumage were present at Mud Islands at the end of January, 1963. They frequented saruly; ·shelly positions adjacent to the lagoon margin, and were not often seen on the ocean shore or wading. It was never difficult to locate them for they kept to the same· areas all the time. They allowed observers to approach closely, standing or running about before them and occasionally flying short distances, usually only when the observers came too near. One showed a faint pinkish flush on the breast. On April 24, one was at the western end of The Spit, Werribee, in company with half a dozen Double-banded Dotterels (C. bicinctus). Another observer had seen three birds in nuptial plumage in the same area a few days previously. June ] SMITH, Wader Observations in Southern Victoria 75 1964

DOUBLE-BANDED DOTIEREL (C. bicinctus): At Fisherman's Bend on November 16, 1962, there was a bird in full breeding garb. At that time it should have been on its breeding ground in New Zealand. Probably the fact that its left leg was so badly damaged as to be useless, decided it against making the east-west crossing of the Tasman Sea. On Mud Islands on January 26 there were three in eclipse plumage. This seems unusually early for them to be in Australia, but they have been recorded at the same islands about the same time in other years. On February 16 there were 12 birds in non-breeding plumage at Werribee and on February 17 two in similar feathering at the Altona-Laverton saltings. There were ten at Shallow Inlet, South Gippsland, on February 23, 40 at We'rribee and 20 at the Avalon Saltworks on March 10, 16 at Seaholme on March II; 30 on mud-flats at Somers on March 17 and seven at Cherry's Swamp on March 31. All these birds were in eclipse plumage. On April 21 there were 30 birds on the mud-flats near Somers, one showing a slight suggestion of the breast bands. Fifty birds were on The Spit at Werribee, on April 25, six showing almost full bands, and others about the sewerage farm area that day brought the total to over 120 birds. Some of the birds on The Spit were noticed driving Red-capped Dotterels (C. alexandrinus) and Skylarks (A lauda arvensis) from certain sections of the tidal flats. On April 4 ten were on the Seaholme mud-flats, one showing complete breast bands, and on May 5 there were more than 80 at Werribee of which a few had well-defined bands. The 1962-1 963 season was, in fact, a poor one for this species. In other years they have been much more abundant. LARGE SAND-DOTTEREL (C. /eschenaultii): A. R. McEvey gave a description of the first Victorian sight record of this species in The Emu, 58 : 65-66. It appears that two of the main prerequisites for certain field identification of this bird in eclipse plumage are, some knowledge of the Charadriidae in general and particularly detailed field experience of the Mongolian Sand-Dotterel (C. mongo/us) in the same state of plumage. Certainly both species are alike but they can be separated in the field under certain circumstances in conjunction with those already suggested, such as obtaining long, close views in good light. On November 13, 1962, I was watching a large group of waders on the Seaholme mud-flats when I saw a stranger among them. At first I thought it was a mongo/us, but quickly realised that...the bl'rf was rather too long and more heavily built than in that species. Not having a mongo/us handy to compare it with I used the next best available species, the Red-capped Dotterel (C. alexandrinus). The strange bird watched me intently at the beginning, but it quickly lost interest and recommenced feeding. It gradually worked closer to me, eventually getting right away from the other small waders until it was about 50 or 60 feet from my position. It was not an active feeder and kept to a rather small area, where I was able to watch it under ideal conditions for about thirty minutes. It was about twice the height of C. alexandrinus with upright stance, bill long and stout, legs longish and light olive-green in colour and large dark eyes. The upper parts were a greyish sandy-brown, almost uniform, but some mottling noticeable at close range. There was a large area of white about the frons and a white eye-stripe. The under parts were pure white from chin to vent, with a pale greyish-brown wash on each side of the breast near the folded wing-bend. I consider the longer, lighter hued legs a good point in distinguishing it from mongo/us. In fact, the legs of leschenaultii are more reminiscent of those of the Oriental Dotterel (C. veredus) than those of mongo/us. The following day, November 14, when about a mile east of where I had first seen the bird, I was scanning for waders out over the vast sandy, muddy flats when I almost stepped on a Large Sand-Dotterel, no doubt the original bird. It took fright and flew low over the flats before alighting about one hundred yards away. It gave vent to loud trilling calls of alarm whilst in flight. I stalked it and once more had ideal views from close range. Later I was to confirm to my own satisfaction the identity of this bird after detailed experience with others of the species at Mud Islands. Six eclipse plumaged birds were watched, mostly from 76 SMITH, Wader Observations in Southern Victoria [ Bird Watcher

close proxtmtty, on Mud Islands at the end of January, 1963. Quite often they were with Mongolian Sand-Dotterels which allowed myself and several other obse'rvers wonderful comparison views. The Mud Islands birds preferred the muddier parts of the shore, the muddy lagoon edge and sandy, shelly flats. There were never more than two birds together, and they were well scattered and preferred certain small areas. If flushed from them they would return in a few minutes. Compared with mongo/us they were generally similar, noticeably but not greatly larger, cleaner white on the under parts, lighter greyish upper parts, longer and paler legs, noticeably longer and stouter bills and in flight showed a more conspicuous white wing-bar. The Large Sand-Dotterel also gave vent to loud trilling calls in flight, mostly when alarmed, which I have not heard from the Mongolian Sand-Dotterel. RED-CAPPED DOTIEREL (C. alexandrinus): Plentiful at all bayside tidal sand and mud-fl ats and at adjacent swamps and creek edges, where vegetation is either non-existent or very short and sparse. Several clutches of eggs were noted and flightless young seen. A favoured nesting area was about the wide shores of Cherry's Swamp, Altona, where on Septem­ ber 2 I saw downy-young a few days old, and two eggs which had been laid on a discarded white cotton undergarment, the most conspicuous object imaginable in the short green grass. Two eggs were in a slight depression in the clay floor of a treatment pan at Werribee sewerage farm, on February 16, and they were smothered in clay from the feet of the adults as they came in from the mud puddles to incubate. At the wide bend of the Kororoit Creek, on March 3, a female was standing atop an upended four gallon drum on a islet. It was a good vantage point, but I cannot recall seeing this species perched up on such an object previously. Towards the end of March, autumn and winter flocking began to take place and, on March 31, there were over one hundred birds on the Seaholme mud-flats, and on April 24, over two hundred about The Spit and treatment pans at the Werribee sewerage farm. BLACK-FRONTED DOTTEREL (C. melanops): This locally breeding species was about in good numbers during the period under review. Muddy edges in the vicinity of fresh or brackish water, whether a flowing stream or still swamp, are preferred. None was seen on bayside mud-flats or sand beaches or along margins of water with a high salt content. I have occasionally seen a bird in such surroundings in past years but, in my experience, it is unusual. Small loose flocks of up to 14 birds were formed in the autumn and winter, with pairing taking place during August and September. Most eggs are laid in October but the breeding season begins in August and ceases in February. Breeding takes place about coastal swamps, and further inland along the banks of the Yarra River and adjacent swamps. WHITE-HEADED STILT (Himantopus leucocephalus): On July 15, 1962, there were twelve at the Altona-Laverton saltings, two showing much juvenile sootiness about the head and neck. At the Maddox Road Swamp on August 25 there were several pairs, and by their actions they appeared to be about to nest. Thirty-one in a flock at the west end of the Dairyfarm Swamp, Altona, on August 26, made an attractive picture as they fed amid the short green aquatic herbage. Several pairs were scattered about Fisherman's Bend, and the first nests with eggs were noted there on September 8. After that nesting took place at most suitable areas between Williamstown and the sewerage farm at Werribee. The east marsh at the Altona-Laverton Saltings was a much favoured nesting area, with about 50 pairs breeding there during November-December, 1962. Many were scattered about the sewe·rage farm at Werribee during the spring and summer and several small young were observePhillip Island, and on April 21 there were 20 on bayside mud-flats just east of Sandy Point, near Somers - an area well favoured by these birds during their southern sojourn. My last sighting for the season came on May 5, when a compact group of 12 birds was seen at The Spit, Werribee WHIMBREL (N. phaeopus): One flew up from a rock strewn beach just north of Rhyll, Phillip Island, on March 3, 1963. It called loudly as it fl ew, until it was out of sight. A wide whitish streak was noticed on the lower back. LITTLE WHIMBREL (Mesoscolopax minutus): My first sighting of this species came whilst on a visit to the sewerage farm, Werribee, with F . Anderson on February 2, 1963. Two large waders flew past us overhead then, turning sharply, dropped into a four acre sewerage treatment pan 78 SMITH, Wader-Observations in Southern Victoria [ Bird Watcher

that was under construction not far from us, and were lost to view behind a levee separating it from the next pan. This move by the birds could not have been better as far as we were concerned, as it allowed us to make full use of the dividing Qank to creep up on them. We stood upright till only our heads, ·shoul<:lt:ts and binoculars were visible to the birds, and I know my glasses shook with excitement when I realised their identity. Both were within 80 feet and in good light, and one bird was a little larger than the other. They had alighted on a sparsely grassed clay-pan bottom, surrounded by deep and shallow pools of freshwater from recent rains. On sighting us they "'froze" for a few moments, one crouching to its abdomen in a shalJ.@w pool, the other standing alert. They then relaxed and one bird swam across a small deep channel to reach the other on the dry ground. A little chasing then took place, with the larger bird running after the other for short distances, during which short sharp calls resembling "Kwuh-Kwuh" were uttered clearly. After the chasing had ceased, the larger bird squatted down and went to sleep, while the other fed quietly about the clay bottom, gradually getting closer to our position. Shortly the squatting bird awoke and joined the other which was now about 50 feet away, and almost filling the field of view of a 16 x 50 binocular. After viewing them for about twenty minutes we moved to the top of the dividing bank, and almost immediately both birds flew from the area. Climbing rapidly to over one hundred feet and moving swiftly to the west they uttered loud, reedy, drawn-out notes of alarm, which sounded to my ear like "Kweeerk­ Kweeerk". Fifteen minutes later, close to where we had flushed the birds, we saw two wading in shallow water in another treatment pan. These might have been a different pair of Little Whimbrels as they acted dif­ ferently in that they were much harder to approach. The following is an abbreviated field description of the two birds that were seen at close range. Size: One a little larger than the other with a slightly longer bill. Both birds would be larger than a Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominicus), but smaller than a Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica). They were seen against Sharp-tailed Sandpipers (Erolia acuminata) only and appeared to be just over twice their size. Both obviously smaller than a Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus). · Eyes: Dark with a well defined pale orbital ring. Bill: To me the bill was surprisingly short for a Numenius type. Just noticeably decurved. Upper mandible black (dark), lower mandible pinkish for about one third of the basal section, the rest dark. Legs and feet: Medium length. Pale blue-grey. Upper parts: Crown dark brown, broad whitish stripe above each eye and one down the middle of the crown. Back and wing-coverts, including the long tertials, sandy-brown with darker mottling and much white tipping and edging to wing-covert feathers, and particularly the tertials. Tail, shortish, light blue-grey with wide black barring. Under parts: Entirely light buff with some dark speckling across the breast. Chin lighter. Flight: The toes only trail beyond the tail tip. A subdued two-tone effect is produced by the very dark primaries against the sandy-brown wing-coverts and inner wing area. BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa): One in eclipse plumage with a large flock of L. /apponica at Mud Islands on January 27, 1963. It had come in to the islands to rest with the "bar-tails" between tides. It was first recognised among the other Godwits by being slightly smaller and more slender in appearance. It also showed duskier, more uniform, upper parts, a greyish breast, relatively longer legs and a long straight bill. In flight it showed to advantage the white upper tail area, the white tipped broad black end of the tail, with the long legs protruding well beyond the tail tip. There was also a broad white bar running almost the full length of the mid-wing. Later in the day this bird, or another of the same species, came- to the sea-shore near the camp and fed with Great Knots (Calidris tenuirostris), allowing extremely good views to several observers. I was later informed that two, possibly three birds, were present on the islands that day. June J SMlTH, Wader Observations in Southern Victoria 79 1964

BAR-TAILED GODWIT (L. lapponica): This species was seen each day during the Mud Islands camping trip at the end of January, 1963. They could be seen feeding in or about the muddy central lagoon and shores, at almost any time of the day. HowevSwan Island and Swan Bay area. They returned to the islands when the tide was rising to await the next ebb tide. It was a wonderful sight to see them leaving the islands in fast moving, compact flocks, and then slowly string out into varying formations for the journey to the feeding areas. There were similar movements throughout the night. I could hear them, and other species of waders, calling and hear too their whistling wings as they passed over my bed on the soft sand under the stars. At times there were over five hundred Godwits resting at the islands. Four were seen with a few Eastern Curlews (Numenius madagascariensis) at McLaughlin Beach during the South Gippsland tour, on February 24, and approximately twenty just north of Rhyll, Phillip Island on March 9, 1963. WOOD-SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola): When near Lake Borrie whilst on a visit to the sewerage farm, Werribee, on November 4, 1962, I met some Geelong Naturalists who had been wading amid a forest of dead trees and a tangle of fallen branches out in the lake. They described to me some waders, about ten in number, that they had seen perched on the broken branches, just above the water. I had little hesitation from their description in deciding that the birds were of this species. My first sighting for the season was of one bird at the Nellie Street Swamp, Altona, on November 13, 1962. The bird was feeding in shallow water near the local garbage dump. On November 30 there was another bird at a shallow grassy-edged pool, just ba.ck from the bayside at Werribee sewerage farm. I was able to view it from a car at close range. In the sunlight there was a bronzy-green tinge in the scapular region, and also the legs were a light greenish-yellow. The bill was nearly twice the length of the head. The tail was jerked up and down slightly whilst it was feeding on Kelp flies from the surface of the water. A brief aerial display was indulged in with the bird flapping about slowly with its legs dangling, whilst about twenty feet up, for ·a- ..few seconds, during which it called twice. .. . Three birds together ...were noticed at the sewerage farm on December 12 and two on December 29. At the wide marshy bend of the Kororoit Creek on December 12, was one bird on a green-grass islet. It was seen again near the same place on December 15. It was watched for a lengthy period as it waded in shallow water at the creek edge, against a background of green aquatic herbage. On December 23 there was one at the Maddox Road swamp, and on March 23, 1963, another Wood-Sandpiper in almost full breeding plumage at the Nellie Street Swamp, Altona. GREY-TAILED TATTLER (Tringa brevipes): At Mud Islands from January 26 to 28, 1963, these birds in eclipse plumage were seen each day, singly and in small groups. The largest number noted together was eight. Close approaches were made but never near enough to see the length of nasal grooves which would have been an aid to certain identification in the field. The groove lengths separate the Grey-tailed from the Wandering Tattler. Tringa brevipes has shorter nasal furrows than T. incana. I based my identification of the species mainly on the calls which I heard day and night. Their mellow notes reminded me of those of the Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominicus), loud and ear pleasing, drawn-out "Tru-eet, Too-eet and Weet-eet". Condon and McGill, Field G uide to the Waders and Hindwood and Hoskin, T he Waders of Sydney are but two authorities who state that -these calls are enough for separation of the two species. T. incana gives vent to a rapid succession of six to ten notes resembling "Whee-we-we-we, etc.," and sometimes "Tweet-Tweet­ Tweet" (R. T. Peterson, A Field Guide to W estern Birds) . The Tattlers on Mud Islands were about the size of the Knot (Calidris canutus) but slimmer; a medium even grey colour of the entire upper parts; whitish under parts and distinct yellow legs. At times they were seen to alight on, or climb up onto, sticks, snags and other debris protruding from the 80 SMITH, Wader Observations in Southern Victoria [ Bird Watcher

water of the central lagoon, where they would sometimes perch for lengthy periods, surveying the surroundings. COMMON SANDPIPER (T. hypoleuca): This species, despite its ac­ cepted venacular name,- is. rare near Melbourne, and, in fact, anywhere in Victoria. I considered' cmyself fortunate to see two, singly, during this wader season. One was observed about man-made rocky breakwaters at the east side of the mouth of the Yarra River on September 29, and once or twice in the same place, shortly after, by other observers. On the above date I sat with two fellow watchers to study the bird closely. Although it was aware of our presence it was unusually trusting and approached to within thirty feet of our position, feeding the while on Kelp flies. After surveying us for a few seconds it turned about and slowly moved away, still feeding. It worked along the bare shore-line of the huge "pan" and sometimes went a few feet into nearby grassy areas, but it preferred to clamber over and about large boulders projecting from the water's edge, feeding as it progressed. Great agility was displayed as it walked up one side of larger, steeper rocks and then went head first down the other, causing me to muse at the time on the possibility that the species might have the under-toes specially designed for such activity. Frequently it deliberately walked into swarms of Kelp flies and, as the insects flew about, jabbed at them with its bill, catching many. It intruded into the feeding territory of a pair of Swallows (Hirundo neoxena) and was viciously swooped on by them till it moved from the disputed area. In flight it showed the typical stiff bowed wing close to the water type of action, characteristic of the species, as well as the distinctive upper surface pattern. The second bird noted during the season was about the muddy edges of the Yarra River at Bulleen, about seven miles north-east of Melbourne on November 27. It remained for several hours. In all respects it was similar to the first bird apart from being less approachable. Once it was driven away from a particular muddy spot by a pair of Black-fronted Dotterels (Charadrius melanops). GREENSHANK (T. nebularia): The Maddox Road Swamp on Septem­ ber 2 yielded the first noticed returning bird. From then on during September the species gradually built up in numbers in favoured areas, particularly at the Altona-Laverton Saltings, which was the main area of concentration close to Melbourne. At the same saltings on September 30, 16 were seen including one compact group of twelve. There were over 50 at the Moolap saltings, near Geelong, on November II, and 15 at Lake Borrie and 19 together in a shallow samphire edged pool near the entrance to The Spit, at the Werribee sewerage farm on November 30. Excellent close views were obtained of the latter group, and it was noticed that, apart from the usual dull greenish legs, some had a subdued but definite yellow tinge. Some of the bills were noticeably up-curved, but others were quite straight. Although Grcenshanks can be found at all the three commercially worked saltings to the west of Melbourne, they may be seen, usually in lesser numbers, at other suitable places. They could be found, mostly singly, at such places as the Maddox Road and Cherry's Swamps, Altona, and the nearby Kororoit Creek, etc. Among some of the larger con­ centrations there were over 30 at Mud Islands at the end of January, 1963; about 30 at Port Albert, South G ippsland, on February 24 ; 20 at the Avalon saltings on March I 0 and 40 at Somers, on the Mornington Peninsula, on March 17. The largest number seen together in the season was a concentration of over 70 at the Altona-Laverton saltings on April 7. By approximately mid­ April a considerable drop in numbers was noticed, and on April 21 there were over 40 scattered about the Somers mud-flats, the last noted for the I 962-1963 season. During the ensuing winter two or three birds could be found at the Altona-Laverton Saltings. MARSH-SANDPIPER (T. stagnatilis): My first sighting of an incoming bird, for the 1962-1963 migratory wader season, was at the Maddox Road Swamp, when a lone Marsh-Sandpiper was seen with Greenshanks (T. June J SMITH, Wader Observations in Southern Victoria 81 1964

nebularia), on September 2, 1962. By Septe"mber 16 there were three at the same place. Odd ones could be found in the same vicinity up till March II, 1963, when the last bird for the season was recorded. At the Altona-Laverton Saltings on September 30 there were six of this species with Greenshanks. On December 9, 25 and 30, at the east marsh, there was a flock of over 30 birds on each day. On January I , 1963, they had increased to over 60 birds, the main group containing more than 50 birds. The Werribee sewerage farm was also visited by the species, mainly the marshy area between Lake Borrie and Corio Bay, where on November 30, 1962, there were nine and on December 16, 28. A single bird was noted at the Avalon saltings on March 10, 1963. During the season's encounters with stagnatilis, as in other years, I frequently found it in company with Greenshanks. It is a difficult species to get near, being extremely wary, but when approached with stealth, good views can often be obtained. TEREK SANDPIPER (Xenus cinereus): There was a single bird on the ocean shore at the northern section of Mud Islands, on January 27, 1963. It was a most energetic feeder, running about hunched up over mud and sand with the longish up-curved bill held horizontally. As it ran about it picked from the surface but occasionally stopped to deeply probe the mud. A very noticeable feature, apart from the shape of the bill, was the orange-yellow colour of the legs. Other observers saw one bird in the same area the following day, and two were reported from the Altona district, during the season, but I did not see them myself. CURLEW-SANDPIPER (Erolia ferruginea): Many Curlew-Sandpipers may be found spending the southern winter with us in most years, and so it was during the winter of 1962. Small flocks of eclipse-plumaged birds could be seen at suitable areas from Williamstown westward to at least the sewerage farm at Werribee. The first incoming birds were noted on August 28, 1962, when about 50 were seen at the Maddox Road Swamp. On the same day there were 30 at Cherry's Swamp, Altona. Although most were in pale non-breeding garb, several showed some signs of recent breeding plumage, whilst a few were quite heavily smudged with reddish­ rufous on the under parts. By September 2 there were over 200 in the Seaholme area, some in nearly complete breeding dress. Numbers built up rapidly and, on September 16,..there were well over 1,000 on bayside mud-flats between west ~liamstown and Seaholme township. Whilst on visits to the Moolap saltings and the Swan Bay jetty area, both in the Geelong district, during November, 1962, and at Mud Islands at the end of January, 1963, several were seen, but not in the quantity noted closer to Melbourne. On February 19, 1963, the first sign of c~1ange to nuptial plumage was noted· on some birds ne·ar Seaholme. Some showed a faint tinge of rufous on the under parts, whilst several others were becoming greyish and some·what spotted on the breast and abdomen, a stage before the breeding colour appears. The first bird in full breeding plumage was observed at Cherry's Swamp, Altona, on March 3, also several others at almost the same stage. By now the species was becoming more difficult to get near. At the approach of an intruder they would leap into the air and, rapidly forming close knit flocks, would speed about erratically. The groups would rise and fall as one bird till they pitched down much further away. From the eod of March till the last outgoing birds were noted on May 5, 1963, many were seen in the beautiful complete nuptial garb. They were a deep reddish­ chestnut from the throat to the lower abdomen, and darker and more mottled and speckled on the upper parts. RED-NECKED STINT (E. ruficollis): Each year varying numbers of this species stay over the southern winter, in suitable areas west of Melbourne. The wintering birds show little or no trace of breeding dress, most of them remaining in the pallid eclipse-plumage. On August 25, 1962, the first returning Stints from the northern breeding grounds were noted. T here were several birds at Cherry's Swamp, Altona, and most of them showed signs of recent nuptial plumage, being pinkish about the· face and upper breast with darker and more noticeably mottled upper parts. Their number increased rapidly in the west Williamstown-Altona area, and on September 82 SMITH, Warier Observations in Southern Victoria [ Bird Watcher

16 I estimated over l ,000 on the Seaholme mud-flats. Many others were at Cherry's Swamp, the nearby Kororoit Creek and other suitable places close by. Most of the birds showed some sign of the breeding garb. During the height pf th.e seasonal influx many hundreds could be found at the Altona-Laverton saltings and Werribee sewerage farm. Good numbers were also noted at such places as Avalon and Moolap saltings, the Swan Bay jetty vicinity and Mud Islands, all in the Geelong district. On the expansive tidal mud-flats of the Somers area there was only a thin scattering of Stints. The species was scarce during the South Gippsland tour towards the end of February, 1963, when miles of ocean sand and mud-flats were scoured f"{)T""Waders. The largest group noted was 20 birds at Shallow Inlet. About mid-March, 1963, the first sign of change to breeding garb was noticed, and from then on more and more were noted coming into hand­ some feather in readiness for the northern summer and its relatively brief courting and nesting period. At the Seaholme bayside mud-flats on March 31 , there were between I ,500 and 2,000 Red-necked Stints, some of the more heavily marked birds having a deep salmon-pink colour about the face, throat and upper breast which extended onto the darkly mottled upper parts. By the first week of May nearly all northward moving Stints had gone, and those remaining for the southern winter were conspicuous by the paleness of their colouring. SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER (E. acuminata): The first incoming birds for the season were noted on August 25, 1962, when over 60 birds were present at the Maddox Road Swamp. They were resting quietly in short grass, in shallow water, by the edge of the swamp. Some allowed us to make a close approach but others were jumpy. A few retained heavy traces of recent breeding garb while others were in eclipse and buff-breasted juvenile plumages. On September 9 there were 56 at the mouth of the Yarra River, and by the following day there were several hundred in the west Williamstown-Altona district, at all creeks, swamps and the bayside mud-flats. They showed a great variety of plumages, from almost full breeding to complete eclipse. An estimate of numbers on September 16 gave over I ,000 on bayside mud-flats at Seaholme, over 200 at the Maddox Road Swamp and over 100 at Cherry's Swamp, with a few others in the same general vicinity. The highest total for the season for one day, at one locality, was I ,500 on the bayside tidal mud-flats between the mouth of the Kororoit Creek and Seaholme township. During the survey period this species was noted whilst on visits to the Swan Bay jetty area, Moolap saltings, Werribee sewerage farm and Mud Islands, all in the Geelong district. The species was very scarce during the tour of South Gippsland coastal mud-flat areas from February 23 to 25, 1963. Only 30 birds, or a few more, were seen at samphire-fringed pools at McLaughlin Beach. Hundreds could be seen in the west Williamstown-Altona district, including the Altona-Laverton saltings, and also at the Werribee sewerage farm up till the end of March, when numbers began to fall off sharply and nearly all birds seen were either in full, or nearly full nuptial plumage. My last record for the season came on May 5, when I saw 19 at the Werribee sewerage farm, all in the handsome breeding dress. On a few occasions I found, as in other years, the species feeding in small scattered flocks in short-grassed fields, well away from water and parti­ cularly just after rain when the grass was still damp. Occasionally about the swamps I saw them swim short distances across deep channels and pools. They would also perch on and feed about rocks in water, and a few times I saw birds fly up onto the tops of small shrubs, growing along pond margins, and cling there a few seconds before dropping down to a muddy fringe. Apart from their usual calls, which tend to become harsh and somewhat reedy shortly before they leave on the northward journey, I noticed during the season that the species also has a grunting note which, although heard mainly from flying flocks, was often uttered whilst birds were feeding and sometimes as a prelude to alarmed flight. Many times in June ] SMITH, Wader Observations in Southern Victoria 83 1964 the 1962-J 963 season I saw a part courtship display when the large males, in hunched attitudes but with necks extended and wings drooped, the feathers of the back erected and tails either cocked up and jerking like a Crakes or depressed and partly fanned, chased the smaller females about, sometimes for minutes at a time. At the Werribee sewerage farm several pairs of Red-capped Dotterels (Charadrius alexandrinus) nested about the edges of raised gravel roadways between the treatment ponds under construction. Whenever the territory of a nesting pair was approached too closely the birds would protest with distraction activity and noisy cries. On December 12, 1962, whilst near a Dotterel territory, I noticed an eclipse plumage acuminata on the roadway with a pair of Dotterels and as I neared them, with another observer, the Dotterels went through the distraction performance. While they were so engaged the Sandpiper came running towards us, along the middle of the road, until it was about 15 feet away, and it was uttering soft chattering calls. It seemed that the acuminata had been momentarily stimulated to anxiety by the actions and calls of the Dotterels. PECTORAL SANDPIPER (E. melanotos): During the survey period this spe<;ies was seen at several places up to 25 miles west of Melbourne. Once thought to be a rare vagrant it now appears, to me, to be a rare, but regular, migrant to mid-southern Victoria. For full details see The Australian Bird Watcher, Vol. 2, pp. 9 to 17. KNOT (Calidris canutus): There was a single bird in eclipse plumage on the bayside tidal mud and sand-flats at the Williamstown Rifle-Range on November 14, 1962. Flocks of up to 60 were noted on Mud Islands, Port Phillip Bay, from January 26 to 28, 1963. These latter birds were frequently observed associating with Great Knots. (C. tenuirostris). At least three of the Mud Islands birds showed a faint pinkish flush to the under parts, the first sign of approaching nuptial plumage. On June 3, 1962, there was a Knot, in complete breeding plumage, at the east shore of Cherry's Swamp, Altona. GREAT KNOT (C. tenuirostris): From November 3 to 12, 1962, there were two together at a small shallow, brackish, unvegetated, sand-shored swamp behind residences at Fisherman's Bem:l; just- west of Melbourne. Both were in the eclipse.,.plum~e but they were well spotted across the breast. They permitted a close approach and many local observers saw them to advantage. Sometimes when disturbed they would fly rapidly well away from the swamp, only to return and settle again within a few minutes. While in flight they uttered calls which were reminiscent of those of C. canutus, a low "Nyut-Nyut". By slowly stalking them the birds could be rounded up into any section of the area that was desired. I did this several times while attempting photography, sometimes getting to within 40 feet. On Mud Islands, from January 26 to 28, 1963, I had a great surprise in regard to this species. This Knot, which had previously been regarded as an extremely rare straggler to Victoria, was there in numbers. In small flocks it was often associated with flocks of C. camllus. I was able to make accurate counts of both species and on one occasion there were 64 tenuirostris in one gathering, not taking into account a few smaller groups, of the same species, in view at the same time, but farther away. I estimated that there were at least 200 on the islands in the period mentioned, and this would be leaning toward an under estimation. Once I counted 34 tenuirostris and 50 canutus together in a flock. The Great Knot is easily separated from the smaller Knot when both are together. Tenuirostris is larger, has a longer bill, a well streaked crown and a darkly spotted breast. T hey were often noted flying and calling over the area, and once one pursued another out over the ocean twisting and turning and rising and falling as they went. SANDERLING (Crocethia alba): On the clean, sandy, sloping beach at Queenscliff, on the south-west shore of Phort Phillip Bay, on November 20, 1962, was one bird in eclipse plumage. It was at first identified at some distance by its characteristic feeding habit of following the receding waves. It was running close behind them and rapidly jabbing its bill 84 SMITH, Wader ·Observations in Southern Victoria [ Bird Watcher into the wet sand, then moving back up the beach as the waves returned. At the same time it covered a good stretch of shore-line. Occasionally it allowed small wavelets to overtake it, till it was standing abdomen deep in water. BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER (Limicola falcinella): Although I was always on the look out for this species, particularly among flocks of Red-necked Stints, I was able to find only two birds during the season. They were together feeding in shallow fresh water, in company with Stints, on the muddy edge of a new treatment pan at the Werribee sewerage farm on February 2, 19.63. Both were in eclipse plumage which is generally similar to the winter dress of Erolia rufico/lis. This species is slightly larger than the Stint, with wide whitish longitudinal stripes on the crown, and a longer, stouter black bill with a slight downward curve near the tip. They were seen to probe the mud, under water, with their heads completely submerged. AUSTRALIAN SNIPE (Gallinago hardwickii): My first encounter with newly arrived birds for the 1962-1963 migratory wader season was on August 28, 1962, when I flushed about 20 at the Maddox Road Swamp, west Williamstown. At the same swamp on September 2, there were more than 50 birds. I obtained some nice views of squatting and feeding birds by employing a stealthy approach, after locating them by scanning likely spots with a binocular, from afar. Early in September small com­ pact flocks of up to 15 individuals could be seen hurtling about the area afte'r being disturbed from the swamp-edge and the grass nearby. From the date first noted till March 23, 1963, several could always be found at the Williamstown Rifle-Range swamps and the marsh near Maddox Road. After the last mentioned date, I saw no more till I observed one at the Williamstown Rifle-Range on April 25, 1963. This bird had a damaged foot and may well have been otherwise injured thus delaying the north­ ward flight. A few frequented the Fisherman's Bend area during the season but at the Werribee sewerage farm, which appeared eminently suitable, the species was extremely scarce. At Lake Angahook, a grassy edged freshwater pond of about an acre in extent at Airey's Inlet, approximately 75 miles south-west of Melbourne on October I 0, 1962, there were nine birds. They flew from one side of the pond to the other on being flushed. A little later a car was driven to within 40 feet of them, from where particularly good views were obtained as they squatted in the short grass. Two were noted at billabongs by the Goulburn River at Trawool some 55 miles north of Melbourne on January 20, 1963. When disturbed this species leaves its position with a leap, calling "Shek" or "Cresk" a few times, and rapidly gaining height, zig-zags about over the marsh before dropping down some distance away. If in undisturbed flight it moves unhurriedly, low down and directly from one point to another. At the Williamstown Rifle-Range in Decembe·r, 1962, I several times saw a Snipe which, when compared with G. hardwickii, was larger and darker with more white on the ends of the tail feathers, and it did not fly so far after being flushed. It may have' been specifically distinct. ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE (Glareola pratincola): There was a party of six at the sewerage farm, Werribee, during December, 1962. For full details see The Australian Bird Watcher, Vol 2, pp. 4-5. SOUTHERN STONE-CURLEW (Burhinus magnirostris): Two birds ran from the open roadside of the main east-west roadway just south of Flinders Peak at the You Yangs, about 35 miles west of Melbourne, on August 4, 1962. They went into cover on the floor of a nearby Sugar-Gum (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) plantation. This is the closest to Melbourne that the species now regularly occurs and its position there is doubtful. Only a few remain and with continued illegal shooting in both the sanctuary and outside, I do not. have much hope for its continued survival in the vicinity. ·