I found a group of 30-40 red-necked stints at Lake Learmonth last month. Two had orange flags. The large group was on the south-west corner.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
M.H., via email.
Red-necked stints – along with other migratory wading birds – are often banded and fitted with these “leg flags” in various parts of Australia.
The orange flag indicates your stints were banded in Victoria, probably somewhere around Port Phillip Bay. The flags enable useful observations to be made without catching the birds to read the numbers on their metal leg bands. Learmonth is an unexpected stopover for them if they were heading home to Siberia to breed. Some first-year birds spend their first winter in Australia, but they are unlikely to remain here in the Ballarat district.
- Questions and photos are welcome. Send to Roger Thomas at The Courier, PO Box 21, Ballarat, 3353, or email to rthomas@vic.australis.com.au
