Broome 2007 part 2

Arriving to set the nets early in the morning

14th - Fourth catch again at Richard's Point, with 188 caught. A small mesh 3-cannon net was used and the bulk of the catch was either Bar-tailed Godwit (72/31) or Great Knot (56/13) with lesser numbers of Curlew Sandpiper (7/3), Red Knot (3), Grey Plover (1/1) and a Terek Sandpiper. One of the Bar-tailed Godwit was flagged from China! These past few days we have usually set two net but fired on only one of them. This practice gives two chances with one of the two nets being set rather lower on the beach than the other so that there is a chance to switch to the upper net if the lower net proves to be unworkable.

One of two net settings today near Richard's Point

The talk this evening was given by Larry Niles on the problems facing Red Knot along the western Atlantic flyway and in particular during their critical refuelling times in spring while in the Delaware Bay area. Again, another fantastic presentation but revealing some potentially alarming consequences for the Red Knot on this flyway.

Again, waiting in the intense heat

The other net is set on a rocky beach, but was not fired

Middle cannon in place

Keeping cages at the ready

View towards Dampier Creek

Processing completed

Shoreline

15th Move to Anna Plains. I travel with Roz Jessop, Peter Jenkins and Nick Ward. Nothing spectacular but we do stop off at the Roebuck Roadhouse as would be expected!

The Roebuck Roadhouse at the turnoff south to Port Hedland on the Broome to Derby road