Alice Springs has certainly had a number of exciting sightings this year in the birding community. The latest is a Grey Wagtail that has been seen at the Alice Springs Water Treatment Plant aka Poo Ponds. I was lucky enough to be spotted by Will Cormack and he showed me where the bird was. Thanks Will.
I was reading the entry for Grey Wagtail in Pizzey and Knight and wasn't surprised to find out these birds are actually in the Pipit family. This is also true for the Forest Wagtail seen earlier in the year in Alice Springs (see the Post for the Forest Wagtail here - Forest Wagtail post. These two wagtails- Grey and Forest, certainly fly and look much more like a Pipit than the Willie Wagtail. anyway, apparently the Grey Wagtails are quite common in PNG, and an occasional visitor to the Top End. Maybe we are only noticing these visitors because there are more people bird-watching due in part to the accessibility of good, inexpensive photography equipment.
Anyway, enough rambling, here are some photos or our latest visitor.
I was reading the entry for Grey Wagtail in Pizzey and Knight and wasn't surprised to find out these birds are actually in the Pipit family. This is also true for the Forest Wagtail seen earlier in the year in Alice Springs (see the Post for the Forest Wagtail here - Forest Wagtail post. These two wagtails- Grey and Forest, certainly fly and look much more like a Pipit than the Willie Wagtail. anyway, apparently the Grey Wagtails are quite common in PNG, and an occasional visitor to the Top End. Maybe we are only noticing these visitors because there are more people bird-watching due in part to the accessibility of good, inexpensive photography equipment.
Anyway, enough rambling, here are some photos or our latest visitor.
Grey Wagtail
There were also a gizzillion Fairy Martins and a few Tree Martins around the gate area at the Poo Ponds.
Fairy Martin
Not 100% sure if this is a Tree Martin rather than a Fairy Martin but I think it is. Let me know if I'm incorrect.
and a young Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater came out to say hello just and I was leaving.
It may be of interest that a Grey Wagtail has been seen as far south as Albany in Western Australia. Spotted on 31st March at Lake Seppings. A great find so far south.
ReplyDeleteRob Horler
Albany
It may be of interest that a Grey Wagtail has been seen as far south as Albany in Western Australia. Spotted on 31st March at Lake Seppings. A great find so far south.
ReplyDeleteRob Horler
Albany
Thanks Robert, certainly of interest. Have passed this on the Alice Springs birders too. Absolutely a great find, they are supposed to be in Asia!
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