Cross country flight.....

Well folks today we're at the local estuary awaiting for the AOG Cross country flight to get under way. Conditions are cold with light winds which may change throughout the course.

It's an interesting course, a lap round the estuary before flying down the river, swooping in and out between the bridge supports (6 in total) , landing on the riverbed and then straight out to sea before lining up for the finishing line at the estuary. It's not too challenging although those bridge supports could be a problem for the larger birds. All will need to be aware of wind change, checkpoints and air space.

At the starting line we have:
A noisy paradise duck, a clumsy pukeko, a couple of squawking gulls, one lonely Banded dotterel, two oystercatchers and a pied shag. It seems the terns are only entered in sprints these games.

All is quiet as they....take their marks......the gun goes off....and they're away!

The Banded dotterel takes an early lead being the smallest bird take-off is slick and fast with the gulls and oystercatchers not far behind. A terrible start for the pukeko and shag, it was clumsy and delayed, they're going to have to make up some time. The noisy paradise ducks have far too much to say, they missed the gun completely!

The Banded dotterel has completed his lap round the estuary and is flying down the river with the gulls and oystercatchers just about neck and neck with him. The gulls climb higher thinking altitude is way more important than distance while the Banded dotterel stays low ready to catch some 'lifty' air.

They come to the bridge supports, the Banded dotterel swoops between each support, flowing beautifully while the gulls can't count and miss a few and have to go back to re-do them. The oystercatchers have seen some morsels and have stopped for a break, thinking they'll catch up while the noisy paradise ducks have taken off in another direction and the pukeko's have called in on the family down on the swamp. Not sure where the shag is, he could turn up anywhere.

Stopping at the checkpoint on the riverbed, the Banded dotterel checks his wings and makes sure his tracking device is in order, looks at the sky and notices a wind shift as cloud starts to accumulate, then off he flies! The gulls are hot on his tail as they didn't bother to stop at the checkpoint, riding high they surge through the cloud. The Banded dotterel flies slightly higher but stays under the cumulus where the air is good while the gulls are being battered around with change of air flow. Out to sea they go, round the rocks and then back to the estuary, the small Banded dotterel sweeps in to take the lead!

The gulls took a detour and got completely lost following each other, the noisy paradise ducks missed going out to sea, family matters got in the way of the pukeko completing the course, the oystercatchers were to full to fly after stopping for morsels on the riverbed and the shag was never seen again.

Here's our winner sweeping in to the finishing line - the Banded dotterel!

Edit: A lovely morning down at the estuary, hope this hasn't been to long a read for today :)