Stormy Weather - and Birds

Watching the waves and what the cyclone has done is interesting but much more important is finding out what has happened to the birds in the wild weather. I have not yet been able to get out to the roosts at Mullens or Crab Creek but yesterday at Inskip Point I had a chance to see the shorebirds that usually roost out there. The surprising thing was that the sand island out from the Point where they usually roost was totally under water.
Instead the birds were packed closely along the narrow strip of sand still exposed right at the Point.
Much of the sand was densely packed with birds. This photo shows part of the flock which in this area was mainly Godwits. I have left the photo very large to show how close the birds were standing.
The tide was going out so some – especially the smaller ones - had started moving down onto exposed sand to feed. While I was there a couple of four wheel drive vehicles drove a little way along the sand and people got out to fish. This disturbed the birds and many of them flew up – but then settled down again as there really wasn't anywhere else to go. There are Pelicans in this photo still standing on the sand so not all have gone inland to breed yet.
The photo below shows Caspian, Crested, and Little Terns; a Pied Oystercatcher, and Bar-tailed Godwits – some of which are going into breeding plumage – a lovely brick-red color.
Many of the Little Terns were also showing some breeding colors. In non-breeding plumage the feet and bill are both dark but in breeding colors the bill is yellow with a dark tip and the feet are also yellow. This one has not yet got all the black on its cap.
There were also large flocks of Red-capped Plovers, Lesser Sand Plovers, Red-necked Stint and some Double-banded Plovers back here after breeding in New Zealand this summer. Some of the Red-necked Stint were also showing a little bit of breeding color in the plumage although not as much as later in the season.
Back at the car park this Mistletoebird was sitting up in one of the trees. I have never seen a Mistletoebird all fluffed up like this – and certainly they are not pictured like this in any of my bird books!