DEFINITIVE ISSUE

Rare Visiting Birds

Issue Date: 14th July 1998







1p - Tawny-throated Dotterel - Oreopholus ruficollis

A tall, slim South American plover with a thin bill, this species has only been seen 2 or 3 times in the Falklands in Spring, probably when on migration.



2p - Hudsonian Godwit - Limosa haemastica

This rare wader breeds in Arctic America and overwinters in Bahia San Sebastian, Tierra del Fuego. This species was noted in the islands in 1833, 1842 and since 1983. Groups of up to 15 have been seen occasionally, most recently on Pebble Island in January 1998. The largest recorded sighting was 40+ birds in 1995.



5p - Eared Dove - Zenaida auriculata

A vagrant, this is the only pigeon occurring frequently in the Islands. Often seen singly in gardens at settlements, this species is common in South America, particularly central Argentina, where it has been seen as a serious pest to grain crops.



9p - Great Grebe - Podiceps major

A large waterbird with a long neck and distinctive dagger shaped bill, it is usually found on freshwater lakes in South America. Occasionally seen in Falklands coastal waters, with recent sightings during 1997 and 1998 at Port Louis, Cape Dolphin, Saunders Island and Fox Bay as well as in Stanley.



10p - Southern Lapwing - Vanellus chilensis

This conspicuously patterned wader with a harsh penetrating call has been seen near Stanley and around settlements during the Spring and Autumn migration. There have been several records since the first in 1860, almost all of single birds, although 3 birds were seen together in 1989.



16p - Buff-necked Ibis - Theristicus caudatus

A very distinctive South American vagrant usually seen singly but sometimes in groups on settlement greens. Some individuals stay for weeks and appear to find enough food to survive the winter.



40p - Ashy-headed Goose - Chloephaga poliocephala

The Falkland status of this attractive goose is uncertain. A probable vagrant from South America, it is seen in Spring most years, usually with Upland Geese on greens near settlements. It could be a very rare breeding species: goslings were seen at Port Howard in 1968; there was a possible breeding pair at Crooked Inlet in 1985 and it was recorded at Bull Point during the summer of 1997/1998.



65p - Red-legged Shag - Phalacrocorax gaimardi

A large grey brown Shag with a distinctive white patch on each side of the neck, this easily identified South American species has bright red legs and a yellow bill. It was seen at West Point Island in 1950, 1965 and 1998, Choiseul Sound in 1993 and Sea Lion Island in 1996.



88p - Red Shoveler - Anas platalea

A distinctive dabbling duck with a huge spoonlike black bill, it inhabits lowland ponds, lagoons and marshes from Southern Peru and Brazil to the Straits of Magellan. Infrequently recorded until October 1985, there have been several sightings of up to 7 birds since, suggesting that it may be a very arre breeding bird.



£1 - Red Fronted Coot - Fulica rufifrons

One of the 3 Coots inhabiting lakes in Southern Soth America, this species is the least likely to be seen in the Falklands. One was sighted in 1842 and others were seen in 1915 and 1924, but there have been no recent records.



£3 - Chilean Flamingo - Phoenicopterus chilensis

This unmistakable large pinkish bird with long legs, an extremely long neck and heavy, downturned bill occurs irregularly in the Falklands. The most recent records were at Sparrow Cove in Autumn 1996 and at Volunteer Point during the Summer of 1996/1997.



£5 - Fork-tailed Flycathcer - Tyrannus savana

A very distinctive tyrant with a forked tail longer than its body, it has been noticed at least a dozen times, mostly in the summers of the past ten years. It breeds from Southern Brazil to Central Argentina, and normally migrates to Venezuela and Central America during the Winter.



First Day cover design - Cinnamon Teal - Anas cyanoptera

This is probably a rare breeding species, formerly reputed to breed in southern parts of Lafonia. During the Breeding Birds Survey (1983-1992) two records of breeding were received. Other records were from Saunders and Pebble Islands (1997/1998) and from ponds on East Falkland. It is widely distributed from western North America to southern South America.









Three further designs are available in Stamp Booklets

Technical details:

Designer: Andrew Robinson
Printer: The House of Questa
Process: Lithography
Sheet Stamps: 28.45 x 42.58 mm
Booklet Stamps: 25.6 x 38.48 mm
Perforation Guage: 14 per 2 cms
Watermark: CA Spiral Old




Copyright: FI Philatelic Bureau Created and Maintained by: Cyberpoint Limited