INDONESIA (LESSER SUNDAS) REP 10 - Birdquest

Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii: Two pairs on the beach at Komodo were a totally unexpected
bonus.
Lesser Sand-plover (Mongolian P) Charadrius mongolus: The commonest shorebird at Benoa this
year, clearly outnumbering the next species.
Greater Sand-plover Charadrius leschenaultii: Only two were definitely identified at Benoa, one of
which had a broken wing, and there were six near Komodo Eco Lodge.
Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus: At Oelsau, 29 km from Kupang, there is a major staging area for
this much sought-after plover, and this year many flocks there totalled at least 130 birds.
Second favourite bird of the trip.
SCOLOPACIDAE
Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus: Common this year, with at least 50 at Benoa, 20 at Pan
Muti, Timor and several on Flores (variegatus).
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata: At least 10 at Benoa, Bali.
Eastern Black-tailed Godwit Limosa melanuroides: A single juvenile at Pan Muti. A number of
authorities are now splitting this distinctive form from Black-tailed Godwit L. limosa.
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica: Just one at Benoa, and one near Komodo Eco Lodge.
Common Redshank Tringa totanus: 30 were noted on the mudflats at Benoa (eurhinus).
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis: At least four at Benoa, Bali, and six at Pan Muti.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia: Regular sightings throughout, with a maximum of 30
estimated at Pan Muti.
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola: Common at Menggitimbe on Sumba, but just two on Timor.
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus: Three at Benoa and two at Pan Muti.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos: Many sightings, with the largest concentration being at least
25 estimated at Pan Muti.
Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes: Five on the mudflats at Benoa Harbour, 20 near the Kristal
Hotel, Kupang, and one near Komodo Eco Lodge.
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres: One on the mudflats at Kupang.
Rufous-necked Stint (Red-necked Stint) Calidris ruficollis: 550 at Pan Muti were the most to have ever
been recorded on the tour.
Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta: A feeding group of 25 at Menggitimbe.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata: One of the highlights of the trip was the large number
recorded at Pan Muti, Timor, with 112 counted.
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea: 15 at Benoa Harbour, and a high count of 80 at Pan Muti.
Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus: Keith Betton did well to pick one out amongst a large
group of Rufous-necked Stints at Pan Muti, Timor. A scarce species in this part of the world.
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus: Craig counted 40 past Newa Sumba Resort, west Sumba,
the biggest tour total to date.
GLAREOLIDAE
Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella: A surprisingly poor year, with just two at Menggitimbe.
STERNIDAE
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus: About ten at Pan Muti, and 20 at Oelsau, near Kupang.
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica: About 12 at Benoa, and ten at Pan Muti. 11 over ricefields on
the way to Camplong from Kupang were unusual.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo: One during our return from Komodo, and two near Komodo Eco
Lodge.
Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus: Six feeding offshore as we left Komodo. It is now placed in the genus
Onychoprion, with Sooty and Aleutian Terns.
Little Tern Sterna albifrons: Common at Benoa Harbour this time, with many juveniles seen.
Greater Crested Tern Sterna bergii: Three at Uluwatu, Bali, ten off Kupang, one at Borong Harbour,
near Kisol, and about 40 birds during the Komodo trip.
10 Birdquest: The Lesser Sundas 2010