Latham’s Snipe

Gallinago hardwickii

Very rare vagrant in WA.  One confirmed report at Kogolup Swamp in 1993.  One seen at Lake McLarty in January 2009.

Pin-tailed Snipe

Gallinago stenura

Uncommon migrant to Australia.  Most Gallinago sp. at Port Hedland (and west and south) are assumed to be Pin-tailed.  A few seen near Parry Lagoons in January 1995 (Identification by Fred Smith based on call and jizz in flight).  One banded at the Broome sewage ponds in January 2004.  A snipe flushed near Carnarvon in February 1996.  Reported banded at Anna Plains Station.  Reported on ovals in Port Hedland, Karratha.  Reported at Kogolup Swamp.

Swinhoe’s Snipe

Gallinago megala

Fairly common migrant to Kimberley and NT.  Most Gallinago sp. east of Broome are assumed to be Swinhoe’s.  50+ seen near Parry Lagoons in January 1995 (Identification by Fred Smith based on call and jizz in flight).  Snipe seen at Broome, Derby, Kununurra, Lake Argyle, Argyle Diamond Mine.

Black-tailed Godwit (photographs)

Limosa limosa

Large numbers at Roebuck Bay (5,000+), 80 Mile Beach (10,000+).  More likely on freshwater elsewhere.  Also seen in small numbers at Alfred Cove, Lake Argyle, Lake McLarty, Kogolup Swamp.

Bar-tailed Godwit (photographs)

Limosa lapponica

Very large numbers at Roebuck Bay (10,000+), 80 Mile Beach (100,000+).  Common along the coast.  More common in the south from October to February.  Also seen at Port Hedland, Dampier, Monte Bello Islands, Exmouth, Carnarvon, Swan River, Woodman Point, Rottnest Island, Harvey/Peel Estuary, Albany.

Little Curlew (photographs)

Numenius minutus

Common in the Kimberley during the wet season.  More likely on town ovals, freshwater ponds, inland plains.  Seen in Broome, Derby, Kununurra, Wyndham, Lake Argyle, Port Hedland.

Whimbrel (photograph)

Numenius phaeopus

Common (500+) in Broome where they are more common in mangroves and rocky shores.  Seen at Wyndham, Derby, Dampier, Monte Bello Islands, Exmouth, Rottnest Island, Woodman’s Point, Garden Island, Mandurah, Cape Naturaliste, Oyster Harbour at Albany.

Eastern Curlew (photographs)

Numenius madagascariensis

Very common at Roebuck Bay (500+).  Seen at Wyndham, Derby, Exmouth, Carnarvon, Monkey Mia, Mandurah, Albany.  Seen at Mandurah, Oyster Harbour at Albany.

Eurasian Curlew

Numenius arquata

Rare in Australia.  One seen on 80 Mile Beach on 24th November 2007.

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropus

One reported by George Swann at Crab Creek in Broome.

Common Redshank

Tringa totanus

Rare in Australia.  Can be seen all year at Broome (especially along Crab Creek).  One seen at the small boat harbour at Carnarvon in February 2004.  One reported along the Hunter River in the Kimberley.  One reported at Vasse Wonnerup in April 1997.

Marsh Sandpiper

Tringa stagnatilis

Common mainly on freshwater.

Common Greenshank (photograph)

Tringa nebularia

Very common in small numbers on salt and fresh water.  Larger numbers (100+) at Roebuck Bay.  Seen at Cue.

Wood Sandpiper (photograph)

Tringa glareola

Common on freshwater.  All year in the north, summer in the south.  Seen at Parry Lagoons, Kununurra, Lake Argyle, Argyle Diamond Mine, Derby, Broome, Port Hedland, Lake McLarty, Kogolup Swamp, Herdsman Lake.

Terek Sandpiper (photograph)

Xenus cinereus

Very common at Broome, 80 Mile Beach.  Also seen at Wyndham, Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Hamelin Bay, Albany.

Common Sandpiper (photograph)

Actitis hypoleucos

Common in ones and twos on salt and fresh water.

Grey-tailed Tattler

Heteroscelus brevipes

Large numbers at Broome, 80 Mile Beach. Harder to find in the south.  Most likely on rocky shores of salt water.  Seen at Applecross, Alfred Cove, Rottnest Island, Woodman’s Point, Mandurah, Albany.

Ruddy Turnstone (photographs)

Arenaria interpres

Common in good numbers at Broome, 80 Mile Beach, Rottnest Island.  1,000+ seen at Adele Island.  One seen at south end of Lake Argyle.  Common at Woodman’s Point.  Seen at Albany, Augusta.

Asian Dowitcher (photographs)

Limnodromus semipalmatus

Rare in Australia.  Can be found all year at Roebuck Bay near Broome.  Common (100s in late summer) at Cargill saltworks near Port Hedland.  Reported in the south west at Lake McLarty, Oyster Harbour at Albany.

Great Knot

Calidris tenuirostris

Common in big numbers (5,000+) on 80 Mile Beach and at Broome.  Fairly common in small numbers in summer at Alfred Cove, Harvey / Peel Estuary, Woodman's Point, Albany.

Red Knot

Calidris canutus

Common in good numbers at 80 Mile Beach and Broome.  Seen at Alfred Cove, Albany, Carnarvon.

Sanderling (photographs)

Calidris alba

Common in small numbers in summer at Woodman's Point.  Seen at Garden Island, Rottnest Island (including salt lakes), Miaboolya Beach near Carnarvon, islands off the Pilbara coast.  Seen near the port and at Cable Beach in Broome and 80 Mile Beach.

Little Stint

Calidris minuta

One in breeding plumage seen at Lake Cooloongup in January 1995.  One in breeding plumage at Lake McLarty in December 2001.  Reported at Lake McLarty in January 1999.  Reported banded at Broome.

Red-necked Stint (photographs)

Calidris ruficollis

Very common with big numbers at Lake McLarty and Alfred Cove in summer.  Large number seen at Adele Island in May 199? including one with a Victorian leg flag.  Common at Albany, Mandurah, Rottnest Island, Carnarvon, Port Hedland, Broome, Derby.

Long-toed Stint

Calidris subminuta

Generally uncommon summer migrant.  Common at Derby sewage overflow.  Seen at Broome, Parry Lagoon, Kingston Rest Station, Lake Argyle.  Seen every summer at Lake McLarty.  Seen at Thomsons Lake, Forrestdale Lake, Adenia Road Lagoon, Albany.

White-rumped Sandpiper

Calidris fuscicollis

One was recorded at Forrestdale Lake in 1981 by Peter Curry.

Baird’s Sandpiper

Calidris bairdii

Rare vagrant to Australia.  One reported on the beach at Eyre Bird Observatory in March 1979.  One possible seen at Lake Cooloongup in January 1995 but could not be relocated.

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

Uncommon to rare.  Recorded most years at Lake McLarty. Seen at Lake Eda at Broome, Argyle Diamond Mine, sewage ponds at Cocklebiddy.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (photographs)

Calidris acuminata

Curlew Sandpiper (photographs)

Calidris ferruginea

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Tryngites subruficollis

Very rare vagrant to Australia.  One reported on the beach at Eyre Bird Observatory in late 1982.

Broad-billed Sandpiper (photographs)

Limicola falcinellus

Uncommon summer migrant in Australia.  Very common (1,000+ in late summer) at Cargill Saltworks near Port Hedland.  Can be seen most times at Wader Beach near Broome.  Two seen at the small boat harbour in Carnarvon in February 2004.  Reported occasionally at Alfred Cove, Lake McLarty, Hamelin Pool.

Ruff

Philomachus pugnax

Uncommon but regular summer migrant.  One to three seen most years in January / February at Lake McLarty.  One seen at Argyle Diamond Mine.  One seen at Derby sewage overflow in November 1999.  One seen at the Carnarvon sewage ponds in February 2004.  Reported during most wet seasons at Broome.

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatus

Rare but apparently regular summer migrant.  One to three seen most summers (recorded August to February) at Rottnest Island (especially Government House Lake).  Two flocks of 33 and 50 to 100 seen near Airlie Island off the Pilbara coast in October 2000.  Usually 10+ reported during summer at Cargill Saltworks near Port Hedland.  Reported twice at Broome.

Painted Snipe

Rostratula benghalensis

Two females seen at Parry Lagoons in January 1995.  Reported on pool on Roebuck Plains and breeding at Taylors Lagoon near Broome.  Reported on Kingston Rest Station near Kununurra.

Comb-crested Jacana

Irediparra gallinacea

Very common at Kununurra.  Fairly common at Parry Lagoons, Lake Argyle.  Seen at Argyle Diamond Mine.  Reported near Broome and Derby.

Pheasant-tailed Jacana

Hydrophasianus chirurgus

The only Australian record was reported at Paraburdoo in December 1974.

Bush Stone-curlew (photographs)

Burhinus grallarius

A good chance at Dryandra State Forest near the settlement.  Fairly common at Anna Plains Station.  One seen near Kununurra.  Two seen at Nallan Station.  Reported at Broome and Lake Eda.

Beach Stone-curlew (photographs)

Esacus neglectus

Uncommon along Kimberley coast.  Regularly recorded at Barred Creek near Broome.  Seen at Crab Creek and Quarry Beach near Broome, Steep Island and Myer Island at Port Warrender, several islands off the Pilbara coast.  Reported at Cape Leveque, Camden Harbour.

Pied Oystercatcher (photographs)

Haematopus longirostris

Sooty Oystercatcher (photograph)

Haematopus fuliginosus

Black-winged Stilt (photograph)

Himantopus himantopus

Common to very common on most fresh water lakes and many salt water areas also.  Thousands breeding on flooded marsh on Anna Plains Station near Sandfire Roadhouse in April 1996.  A few pairs breeding in the salt marsh at the back the Broome Bird Observatory in April 199?.  A pair breeding at Pelican Point.

Banded Stilt

Cladorhynchus leucocephalus

Usually abundant (up to 5,000) at Rottnest Island, and Cargill Saltworks at Port Hedland.  12,000+ seen at Lake Muir in January 1998.  Common (up to 800) in summer at Coodanup near Mandurah, and often seen at Lake Preston.  Seen in small numbers at Alfred Cove, Lake McLarty, Manning Lake, Lake Richmond, Lake Cooloongup, Lake Goegrup, Oyster Harbour at Albany.  One vagrant seen on the beach at Broome in 1990.  A few seen at the Dampier salt works in October 2000.

Red-necked Avocet

Recurvirostra novaehollandiae

Usually abundant at Lake McLarty with up to 5,000 seen.  Common (up to 700) at Lake Goegrup near Mandurah.  Common in small numbers at Rottnest Island where they breed.  Seen near the mouth of the Blackwood River at Augusta in January 1998.  Seen between Wubin and Payne's Find.

Pacific Golden Plover (photograph)

Pluvialis fulva

Grey Plover (photographs)

Pluvialis squatarola

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubius

Rare summer migrant.  One seen at Derby in January 1995.  Seen at Bibra Lake in January 1999.  One seen at Rottnest Island in November 1999.  Reported during most wet seasons at Broome.  Reported at Fitzroy Crossing, Anna Plains Station, Forrestdale Lake, Herdsman Lake, Lake McLarty, Kogolup Swamp, Cocklebiddy.

Red-capped Plover (photographs)

Charadrius ruficapillus

Common on the coast and many salt lakes.  Seen breeding at Mandurah Harbour, Lake McLarty, Eyre Bird Observatory.

Double-banded Plover

Charadrius dubius

An uncommon winter migrant to the south coast.  One seen at Eyre Bird Observatory in May 1997.

Lesser Sand Plover

Charadrius mongolus

Greater Sand Plover (photograph)

Charadrius leschenaultii

Oriental Plover (photographs)

Charadrius veredus

Common wet season migrant to the Kimberley.  Seen at Parry Lagoons, Lake Argyle, Kingston Rest Station, Derby, Cockatoo Creek near Willare Bridge, Broome and 80 Mile Beach at Anna Plains Station.  Large flocks of 10,000+ have been reported on Anna Plains Station.  At Broome and 80 Mile Beach they land on the beach when they return in September before moving inland.

Inland Dotterel (photographs)

Charadrius australis

Widespread but rarely reported.  One vagrant seen at WA Water Ski Park.  Three seen in the Gibson Desert in August 2003.  Reported at Nallan Station near Cue, New Beach near Carnarvon, Nullarbor Plain.

Black-fronted Dotterel

Elseyornis melanops

Hooded Plover (photograph)

Thinornis rubricollis

Common in good numbers on lakes around Esperance.  Common near Lake Preston.  Usually found at Augusta or Hamelin Bay.  Seen at Bremer Bay, Coodanup, Pelican Point.

Red-kneed Dotterel

Erythrogonys cinctus

Common on the edges of freshwater and sewage ponds through most of the state.

Banded Lapwing (photographs)

Vanellus tricolor

Fairly common at Rottnest Island.  Formerly common at Fremantle north mole, Albany port.  Seen near Rockingham, at Bunbury, Murchison River bridge, Mullewa to Mount Magnet, near Wubin, Exmouth, Karratha airport, Lake Gregory.

Masked Lapwing (photographs)

Vanellus miles

Oriental Pratincole

Glareola maldivarum

Common wet season migrant to the Kimberley.  Seen at Parry Lagoons, Kununurra, Lake Argyle, Argyle Diamond Mine, Kingston Rest Station, Derby, Cockatoo Creek near Willare Bridge, Broome and Anna Plains Station.  Phenomenal numbers (2,500,000) counted on 80 Mile Beach in February 2004.  Reported fairly often as far south as Carnarvon with vagrant records in the south at Herdsman Lake, WA Water Ski Park, Lake McLarty and Eyre Bird Observatory.

Australian Pratincole (photographs)

Stiltia isabella

Fairly common near permanent freshwater and grass plains in the Kimberley.  Seen at Parry Lagoons, Kununurra, Lake Argyle, Argyle Diamond Mine, Kingston Rest Station, Derby, Cockatoo Creek near Willare Bridge, Broome and Anna Plains Station.  Breeding beside the airport runway at Argyle Diamond Mine.  Reported as far south as Carnarvon.