Catch Report 19/06/2010

 This was a great result from only a small team. Many regulars had work or social commitments. After the usual briefing at the Bird Observatory the team of 17 once again made our way to Campsite (currently the bird’s favourite roost). However this time with the high tide just after 3PM it was a leisurely start for some.  Adrian and Mary were in the hide and Chris, unusually for him, was twinkling on the beach.  It was a very pleasant afternoon for those of us waiting in base camp.  Blue skies and seas contrasted with the overcast conditions the previous week.  The usual disturbance by raptors and crows didn’t faze Adrian.  Careful twinkling by Chris resulted in an excellent catch of Red Knot, the target species, as well as samples of Great Knot, Grey-Tailed Tattler, Terek Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone and Greater Sand Plover.

 2 teams were set to colour band the Red Knots and 30 sets were completed.  The other birds received engraved leg flags and were quickly processed with just moult and age.  Some of the Red Knots were no easier to age than last week with 75 -100% breeding plumage but apparently first year type moults. For the birds that showed up to 100% breeding plumage it was possible in those cases to distinguish between the 2 sub-species piersmai and rogersi.

 At this time of the year the sun sets early and quickly in the tropics but with judicious planning we were able to complete the processing of the birds and pack up all the equipment and get off the beach with the last of the light.

 Merci bien a Elisabeth et sa famille et tout les autre volontaires.

 Words: Liz Rosenberg

 Table: Chris Hassell

 Thanks to everyone for a huge effort.

 Cheers

Chris

Catch Report 03/07/2010

 Having just finished a series of shorebird counts along the northern shores of Roebuck Bay, a few days earlier, we knew that the best spot to target a small mixed flock of shorebirds would be Richards Point.

With the tide being late in the day it was a leisurely start at 9am and cannons were loaded and trailers packed. The net set went well but we encountered hard rock under the middle cannon and so large rocks were placed to weigh it down.  Fishermen wanting to use THEIR favourite spot exactly where we had just set the net was a slight diversion but everything worked out well with them continuing to fish a few hundred meters away to the right of the catching zone.

The normal introduction and explanation to all the visitors was carried out at the Broome Bird Observatory before making our way down to the catching site.

Adrian and Mary were in the hide and Grant was sent to Wader Spit to push knots towards the 20 Grey Plovers that were already in front of the net.

The twinkling went well and the majority of birds landed in front of the net but were not yet catchable.

There was a wait of about 30 minutes until the birds moved close enough to fire over. Adrian predicted about 150 were catchable as they were now at 7m from the net. The decision to fire was made and the net went out perfectly. The net caught to 10m and it was easily seen that a large number of birds had been caught. 

We had a large team of people and with only a handful of birds in the water and many people sanding the back of the net the birds were quickly moved up the beach and into the hastily erected keeping cages.

The setting up of the shade and processing equipment was very quick and soon we had broken up into 6 teams to process the catch.

Timing was perfect as we had just finished the last birds as the sun was disappearing over the horizon. This was the third catch in a row where Red Knots, amazingly, were yet again the most abundant species caught. All the Red Knot appeared to be 1^st year birds giving more proof of a very good breeding season for them in the northern summer of 2009.

Thanks to everyone for a great effort 

Adrian Boyle

Chris Hassell