Sightings - September 2021
30 September
The first returned Oriental Dollarbird of the season was seen at the Nimalarragun wetland, where at least a dozen singing Little Grassbirds were also present. At nearby Crescent Lake were two Baillon’s Crakes, five Long-toed Stints and four Marsh Sandpipers.
29 September
Yellow Chats continue to be seen on the plains around Kidneybean Claypan.
28 September
The first juvenile Whimbrel of the season was seen in Roebuck Bay (CJH). A Flock Bronzewing and four Black-breasted Buzzards continue to be seen around Lake Campion. Over 500 Brolgas were again seen at Lake Eda, where a Little Curlew was also present.
27 September
The first two returned Eastern Yellow Wagtails were seen at the Broome sewage works.
25 September
The first returned Channel-billed Cuckoo was heard in Twelve Mile this morning, with a female Leaden Flycatcher seen there later in the day. The first juvenile Red-necked Stint of the season was seen in Roebuck Bay (all CJH).
24 September
A productive Lakes Tour saw Yellow Chats present at all the Roebuck Plains lakes, as were Wood Sandpipers, Marsh Sandpipers, lots of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Australian Pratincoles and Brolgas. Other highlights were 45 Oriental Plovers and a Red-backed Kingfisher at Taylor’s Lagoon; a Flock Bronzewing, four Black-breasted Buzzards and three Long-toed Stints at Lake Campion; 500+ Brolgas and a juvenile Long-toed Stint at Lake Eda, and a single Little Curlew at the dry Square Dam on the eastern plains.
22 September
A small flock of Masked Woodswallows passed over the BBO on a hot, windy morning.
21 September
Around 10 Fork-tailed Swifts passed over the BBO this morning, with another 2 seen in the evening.
20 September
The Little Curlews are returning to Broome, with one seen over Coles in Chinatown (AB) and one at Brolga Park in Roebuck Estate (JG). A Beach Stone-curlew continues to be seen in the bay.
19 September
An Asian Dowitcher was seen among a large mixed shorebird roost on Campsite Beach, while a Common Redshank was at Wader Spit.
18 September
A Beach Stone-curlew (CJH), Common Tern and thousands of returned breeding and juvenile migratory shorebirds, including several Broad-billed Sandpipers and the first juvenile Grey Plover of the season (CJH), were seen on Wader Beach. At least 2 Common Redshanks, around 50 Marsh Sandpipers and 400 Black-tailed Godwits were seen on the mudflats along Crab Creek.
17 September
The first returning Little Curlew of the season was seen at Lake Eda, with another seen shortly afterwards on the dry Square Dam on eastern Roebuck Plains. A Wandering Whistling-Duck and Marsh Sandpiper were seen at the Broome sewage works.
16 September
Cattle Egrets and Oriental Plovers continue to be seen on the Common.
15 September
A flock of around 35 Yellow Chats was seen in the Jabiru Paddock of Roebuck Plains, while a Red-backed Kingfisher continues to be seen in the BBO Paddock. A Broad-billed Flycatcher was seen around the Shadehouse. A Pallid Cuckoo continues to call around the grounds. A Lesser Frigatebird and Collared Sparrowhawk were seen at Cable Beach.
14 September
The first juvenile Red Knot of the season was seen in Roebuck Bay (CJH).
13 September
The first returned White-winged Black Tern, an adult in worn breeding plumage, was seen at the Broome sewage works (AB). Three Yellow Chats were seen at Taylor’s Lagoon (CGM). Six Flock Bronzewings, four Cattle Egrets, two Marsh Sandpipers and a Long-toed Stint were at Lake Eda. A light-morph Little Eagle was seen at Ram-Paddock Well. A Red-backed Kingfisher was seen on the edge of woodland in the BBO Paddock of Roebuck Plains, while Oriental Plover and Australian Pratincole were on the plains east of the Great Northern Highway.
12 September
Streaked Shearwaters, Hutton’s Shearwaters, a pale-morph Wedge-tailed Shearwater and a probable Bulwer’s Petrel were seen in deep water off Broome (AB).
11 September
Two Wandering Whistling-Ducks were seen among the 1,500+ Plumed Whistling-Ducks at the Broome sewage works (AB). The first juvenile Grey-tailed Tattler was seen in Roebuck Bay (CJH).
10 September
Yellow Chats were seen along with the regular Black-breasted Buzzards, Green Pygmy-geese, Wood Sandpipers and Marsh Sandpipers at Lake Campion. More chats were present around the Square Dam on Roebuck Plains, among large numbers of Oriental Plover and Australian Pratincole. A Long-toed Stint was at Lake Eda.
9 September
A Wilson’s Storm-Petrel was seen from an Absolute Ocean Charters trip offshore from Broome (JH). A Collared Sparrowhawk was seen along Crab Creek Road.
8 September
The first juvenile Lesser Sand Plover and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper of the season were seen in Roebuck Bay (CJH). There was lots of passerine movement on a breezy morning at Entrance Point: a single Grey-headed Honeyeater was with flocks of Brown Honeyeater and Zebra Finch gathering on the point, and Tree Martins were heading south across Roebuck Bay. A Common Tern and Sanderling were seen roosting on the rocks offshore. A Pallid Cuckoo continues to call around the BBO grounds.
7 September
First returning Fork-tailed Swifts were seen at Entrance Point (NJ). Four Asian Dowitchers were feeding on the mud around Little Crab Creek. At least two Sanderling were in a large mixed shorebird roost on Quarry Beach. Five Cattle Egrets, 40+ Oriental Plovers and several coveys of Brown Quail were seen on the Common.
6 September
The first juvenile Black-tailed Godwit of the season was seen in Roebuck Bay (CJH). At least 50 Oriental Plovers were seen around the (dry) Square Dam on Roebuck Plains, east of the Great Northern Highway. Four Cattle Egrets and a Long-toed Stint were at Lake Eda. Three Black-breasted Buzzards, two Marsh Sandpipers and several Wood Sandpipers were seen at Lake Campion. Little Woodswallows were seen in woodland near Taylor’s Lagoon. Lots of returned Sharp-tailed Sandpipers were seen around all the freshwater wetlands on Roebuck Plains, with plenty more present in Roebuck Bay.
5 September
Australian Spotted Crake (BG and AB), Baillon’s Crake, Spotless Crake and Buff-banded Rail (AB) were all seen at Crescent Lake, where a Little Ringed Plover continues to be present. An Asian Dowitcher was seen in a large mixed shorebird roost on Fall Point. Yellow Chats were seen in the Jabiru Paddock on Roebuck Plains.
4 September
A Little Ringed Plover continues to be seen at Crescent Lake (NJ, CJ and CG), where two Long-toed Stints, a Buff-banded Rail and 50+ Sharp-tailed Sandpipers were also present.
3 September
Yellow Chats were seen on saltmarsh close to One Tree in northern Roebuck Bay. Several Pacific Golden Plovers including one in almost complete breeding plumage were seen from the BBO Viewing Platform. A Broad-billed Flycatcher was seen around the Shadehouse.
2 September
Yellow Chats were seen on the saltmarsh behind Crab Creek. Five Oriental Plovers (returned migrants from central Asia), two Cattle Egrets and a Red-backed Kingfisher (NJ) were seen on the Common. A Pallid Cuckoo has been singing around the BBO grounds on recent mornings. A Little Ringed Plover continues at Crescent Lake, where a Long-toed Stint was also present.
1 September
A Little Ringed Plover (first of the year) was found at Crescent Lake (NJ). A Grey Fantail continues to be seen around the BBO grounds.
Observers
AB - Adrian Boyle, BG - Bruce Greatwich, CG - Connie Grohmann, CGM - Clare and Grant Morton, CJ - Carla Jackett, CJH - Chris Hassell, JG - Jaxon Greatwich, JH - Joseph Hamilton, NJ - Nigel Jackett. All other sightings made by BBO staff and guests.