Memorandum to:                     The Director of Birds Australia

 

 

From:                                       Birds Australia Rarities Committee (BARC)

 

 

Date:                                        27th January 2007

 

 

Voting Members:                     Tony Palliser                 Glenn Holmes

Jamie Matthew              Danny Rogers

                                                John Hatch                    Andrew Silcocks

                                                Niven McCrie                 Mike Carter

 

cc:                                           

 

Submission No 482: Little Stint Calidris minuta; Lake Murphy, VIC. 18th - 24th April 2006. Submitted by:  Rohan Clarke.

Verdict: Accepted

This submission concerns a Little Stint Calidris minuta present at Lake Murphy, Victoria, between the 18th and 24th April 2006. During this period at least 10 people visited the lake and most were successful in locating the bird.


The stunning photographic evidence accompanying this case establishes the identity beyond all doubt and serves to corroborate the description. To quote direct from the submission:  “A small stint essentially orange and white, with black bare parts and the following notable features:”

 

·         Frons and lores were white and gave rise to both a weak supercilium and separate crown streak on each side of the head.

·         A weak V, formed by white edges to mantle, was most obvious when the bird was facing directly away from the observer.

·         Scapulars showed prominent broad white fringes, which also contributed to the V on the mantle.

·         All visible tertials showed broad orange fringes.

·         Throat was unmarked and white.

·         The breast was largely pale grey and gave the appearance of a weak gorget”.

All of the above features are characteristic and in combination diagnostic of Little Stint in alternate plumage, consequently members agreed unanimously to accept the record. This sighting is the 7th to be accepted by BARC. This bird was in fresh alternate plumage in April, a time that is consistent with the normal moult strategy of adult Little Stints. Previous  Little Stint records to be assessed by BARC involve birds considered to be in reverse-cycle alternate plumage.

 

Selected Bibliography:

·         Hayman, P., Marchant, J & Prater, T. 1986. Shorebirds - An identification Guide to the Waders of the World. Croom Helm, London.

·         Higgins, P.J. Davies S.J.J.F. (eds) (1996). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 3: Snipe to Pigeons. Oxford University Press, Melbourne

 

 

 

Tony Palliser

Chairman, Birds Australia Rarities Committee