This is a great time of year. The migratory shorebirds are all returning. I know that I posted about the first ones I saw about a week ago but it seems to me that listing the new birds I see is not enough to celebrate their accomplishment. Each year this bird marathon takes place. They start off from different places in different countries and join in a flight down here to Australia. So here's to you bird athletes! I applaud your abilities and your accomplishments!
All winter long the bays and sand banks have been empty but now there are scattered groups and long lines of birds standing together at high tide. Some are so hungry that they continue to hunt for food on the edge of the salt marsh as the tide comes in. Some stand at the edge of the bay, and some stand right out in the water and must retreat with the rising tide. All are a little restless as if they can't quite take in that this is journey's end and they are safe. Later on I will be able to approach quite closely without them doing more than blink a sleepy eye at me but for now I will stay well back and let them learn to relax in the safety of this bay.
All the birds are champions, but for me some merit special attention for their accomplishments. I always look first for the Bar-tailed Godwits. Maybe this is because my father showed me these birds when I was very young. Even he, however, could not have realized how remarkable their migration really was since it was only last year that satelite tracking proved their non-stop flight of approximately 12,000 kms from Alaska to eastern Australia or New Zealand.
The largest – the Eastern Curlew are hard to miss especially since their cries alert all the other birds to the presence of the bird watcher. The small ones such as the Lesser Sand Plover, and the Red-necked Stint settle down among the salt marsh plants and make it very hard to get good photos of them. However, this is becoming a list again so I shall just say: Welcome back shorebirds! You give me pleasure just by being here.
All winter long the bays and sand banks have been empty but now there are scattered groups and long lines of birds standing together at high tide. Some are so hungry that they continue to hunt for food on the edge of the salt marsh as the tide comes in. Some stand at the edge of the bay, and some stand right out in the water and must retreat with the rising tide. All are a little restless as if they can't quite take in that this is journey's end and they are safe. Later on I will be able to approach quite closely without them doing more than blink a sleepy eye at me but for now I will stay well back and let them learn to relax in the safety of this bay.
All the birds are champions, but for me some merit special attention for their accomplishments. I always look first for the Bar-tailed Godwits. Maybe this is because my father showed me these birds when I was very young. Even he, however, could not have realized how remarkable their migration really was since it was only last year that satelite tracking proved their non-stop flight of approximately 12,000 kms from Alaska to eastern Australia or New Zealand.
The largest – the Eastern Curlew are hard to miss especially since their cries alert all the other birds to the presence of the bird watcher. The small ones such as the Lesser Sand Plover, and the Red-necked Stint settle down among the salt marsh plants and make it very hard to get good photos of them. However, this is becoming a list again so I shall just say: Welcome back shorebirds! You give me pleasure just by being here.
Rub it in Mick, you've got me dreaming about them now, a Whimbrel last night!
ReplyDeleteWell worth celebrating! ....and yet most people are totally unaware of these marvels. They think such things only happens in far off places on their TV.
ReplyDeleteHeh! Good one Duncan! But why a Whimbrel?
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree Mosura. I guess that's one reason why I blog and definitely why I write for my local paper.
Nice blog, we are having our birds migrate as well. Saying hello from the other side of the world. e
ReplyDeleteThanks "E".
ReplyDeleteMick, one of the first waders I saw was a whimbrel flying over, I thought its plumage was just the most. Guess it's stuck in my mind.
ReplyDeleteThat makes sense to me Duncan. My father showed me Godwits when I was about 10 or 11 years old and he told me a great story about the migration - hence my fascination with them all.
ReplyDeleteG'day Mick,
ReplyDeleteA nice entry - fascinating read. It's beaut to hear that you write for the local press. How does that go down with the locals? How frequently, etc? Good stuff,
Gouldiae
Hi Gouldiae, thanks for your comments. When I moved here just over 5 years ago I could not find anyone in the immediate area who knew anything about the local shorebirds. The one person who had been considered the local expert had moved away. I got help from outside the district and as soon as I knew enough started writing an article with a photo for the local free magazine which is published once a month. I always try to write from the point of view that we have great things in the area and here's another one to look at! People I meet while I'm out taking photos etc tell me they read and enjoy the articles so I guess I am achieving my aim - i.e. to build local awareness and appreciation of the shorebirds.
ReplyDeleteG'day Mick,
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful, you might just have inspired me to do something too.
Gouldiae.
Hi Gouldiae, that sounds good! Let us know how it goes, please.
ReplyDeleteHey Mick,
ReplyDeleteWaders are wonderful - except for ID nightmares. A few drop in here - more black-tail than bars - once in long while.
We're near neighbours today - in latest IATB ;-)
OK to wink at a neighbour?
Hi Tony nice to have a neighbor from IATB drop in - and with a wink too! I have not seen Black-tailed Godwits right in this area although they are seen down the coast from here. However, I am seeing quite a different variety of waders out from Inskip since I started kayaking out and around there so maybe this season.
ReplyDelete