Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Here for most of the summer months breeds Artic circle, Alaska, Northern Canada and Russia to name a few. Amazing that a small bird can fly that far!! You can find them here in big numbers on the airport grass and on the beach at low tide.
Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis)
A small rail with more colour in the chest than the Woodhen. The Woodhen is mostly brown. Has been breeding here now for about 20 years, over the last 10 years their numbers have exploded almost to becoming a pest. Not a good bird to have in your garden they will eat anything.
Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans)
The size of a swallow, there were about 6 of these over here this winter 2011. Not common on the island, very hard to get a photo as they are so small and very fast.
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.