Birds at the Airport Roost

I always have a good look along the bay when I first kayak around the mangroves at the south end of Mullens creek but the dark birds I saw in the water along the end of the sandy beach were a little unexpected.  They were six black swans.  I hoped for closer photos but quickly found that two legs under the water were moving a lot faster than a kayak paddling on top of the water! The sixth bird was swimming quite a long way behind the others.

There is often at least one Little Egret roosting in this area but it was nice to see this one with breeding plumes on its head.

I let the breeze and the tide drift me into the beach so I could get closer to the birds that were standing on the sand spit.  When I got in closer the birds moved over the sand into the lagoon behind.  All I could see was heads!  When the kayak eventually drifted right on to the sand I found that I could get a good look by easing up onto the higher part at the back of the kayak.  There were three Common Greenshanks and  apparently they felt quite safe only seeing my head above the sand spit.  They could definitely see me but after a good look at me they went back to doing their usual bird activities of eating, scratching and sleeping.

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