Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
I only got this bird the last week 10/12/11. A first for me but has been recorded here before. He only stayed for about 3 days then kept going. Looks like Terek Sandpiper. This is a subarctic bird, breeding from northern Scotland eastwards across northern Europe and Asia. A migratory species.
Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
Arrived on the island in 1991 and stayed. They breed here now in open paddocks. Will defend their nest or chick with gusto swooping low over your head. Easy to find in open paddocks.
Dollarbird ( Eurystomus orientalis)
This guy was blown in here in Autumn this year 2011, I had never seen one here before. Beautiful to watch on the wing very fast as they dive and catch insects.
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (Chalcites lucidus)
Beautiful little bird, they get blown in here around March. They could be on their way to NZ. We see them most years but not in big numbers. Only about the size of a Finch.
Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis)
Large all white bird, they stop over here for a while on their way to NZ. They breed in Northern NSW. You can find them in early winter to early summer around cows in paddocks. Some may decide to breed here one day.
Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena)
Great little bird arrived here in the 1970 and has stayed, breeds on the island their nests are made out of mud. You can find them over cattle paddocks and bodies of fresh water.
Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans)
Wingspan 1400mm body weight of 480g
Swamp Harrier will fly to Lord Howe about once a year, only one or two. They tend to arrive here in about May when the Shearwater chicks are fat and plump and make easy pickings. Thought to be coming from NZ a flight of 850 N miles.
Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)
A large purple and black bird with red bill and legs, flew in here around 1987 and stayed. They like to hang around swampy areas like the golf club and the swamp at the east end of the runway.
Magpie Lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)
Black and white bird introduced here in the 1920’s. It’s common name is Peewee, breeds on the island. They make there nest out of mud usually hi up in a large tree. Easy to find in any paddock or grassy area. You can tell male and female apart the male has black around the base of bill, the female has white.
Emerald Ground-dove (Chalcophaps indica)
A bird common in the forests and along the sides of the road, beautiful green wings. The male bird a bit brighter than the female. Breeds on the island their nest made out of twigs. Very fast flyer, I haven’t captured one the wing yet.