Norman Point

I went around to Norman Point the other morning right on high tide to see what birds might be roosting at the end of the point. There were two Curlews but no other migratory waders. Of course there were the usual numbers of Silver Gulls and some Terns with them. One of the Gulls was a juvenile with brown edges to the back and wing feathers. The adults have bright red bills and legs - this one had a dark bill and the legs were also quite dark.
Pied Oystercatchers always look beautiful against the background of the blue water - and these ones walked out onto a sand spit which showed their reflections in the closer water.
The best bird of the morning was this Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii) which was perched on an electricity wire beside the road. I stopped where I was on the other side of the road and wound the window down to take photos. I have frequently see these birds out in the bush but have never been able to get close enough for a good clear photo. This one didn't mind the car stopped on the other side of the road but as soon as someone came walking along the footpath the bird flew off.
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Shorebirds

Yesterday morning's sunrise was beautiful but the clouds that made it so beautiful also threatened more rain. There was an early shower of rain soon after I took this photo so my walk on the shoreline was delayed until the sky cleared a little more. I missed the high tide but also missed the early morning walkers and the shorebirds had a chance to settle down to the important business of feeding.
A pair of Pied Oystercatchers (Haematopus longirostris) can usually be found on a little rocky outcrop that becomes an island at high tide. When I went looking for them I found an Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) and some Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) in the same place.The Eastern Curlew flew off quickly but the Pied Oystercatchers ignored me and I got close enough for good photos.A small group of Bar-tailed Godwits waded through the shallow water probing in the soft sand for food.I watched the clouds slowly getting darker and took off for home just before another shower of rain came through.
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Bath Time

I frequently see Pied Oystercatchers around the bay but the other morning I was close to one as it took its morning wash and brush up! It was a very thorough wash - no skimping anywhere. Some parts were done more than once! I was on the kayak and just drifted in close and the bird took no notice of me at all.
Face and head right underwater to start with.
Splash one side first - thoroughly - and then give that side a good comb with the foot.
Now the other side - and use the other foot for that side.
Preen down the front
Preen the back
A good flap with the wings as it stepped out of the water
A final shake of the tail
The mate was standing only a few feet away - "Very nice dear! You look quite smart!"
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Oystercatchers and Gulls

Pied Oystercatchers are quite common around the bay but I seldom see the Sooty Oystercatchers as they prefer rocky headlands rather than the sandy stretches of the bay. I saw this Sooty Oystercatcher with the Pied Oystercatchers out at Inskip Point.
While watching the other birds I could hear a constant 'peeping' sound which I tracked down to this juvenile Silver Gull which was begging for food from the adult. The adult ignored it but it persisted in following as closely as it could.
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Mullens

What a beautiful day! The tide was covering the sand flats. There was no wind so the reflections were nearly perfect. Best of all I had the bay to myself! (Most of the photos in this post are landscapes and clicking on them to bring up the larger versions gives a better view of the area.)
Even though most of the shorebirds have migrated there were still a few around - both juveniles that will migrate next year and locals that stay here all year. Bar-tailed Godwits were standing in the shallow water and Red-capped Plovers and Red-necked Stint were busily hunting for food across the exposed sand. The birds were reflected in the sea and each little puddle.
A Little Egret hunted fish in the shallow water and then flew off when I got closer.
Pied Oystercatchers let me get quite close before they too flew off.
Nothing is perfect! The mosquitoes were terrible and I hadn't put on enough insect repellent to keep them away!

Pied Oystercatchers

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This morning was perfect weather for kayaking. We've had so many weeks of positively miserable weather that this was a very welcome change. My friend Sarah had visitors from Ireland and we decided to go to the south side of Crab Creek. This would not be too distant for a couple of people who had done very little kayaking before, but it was almost certain that we would see a good number and variety of shorebirds.
We had great views of quite large flocks of Bar-tailed Godwits, Whimbrels, Eastern Curlew, Common Greenshank, and Grey-tailed Tattler, as well as the resident Red-capped Plover.
The highlight of the morning was finding the Pied Oystercatchers again that last time were acting as if they had either a nest or young ones somewhere. This morning they were still acting very agitated but we could now see two other birds – not quite as large and still with juvenile plumage. They had already fledged and could fly although the adult birds were obviously happier to keep them in the same area of saltmarsh where they had nested. This was a great sighting as I have never before seen Pied Oystercatchers either nesting or with young around the bay. I have been living here for more than five years and have certainly looked everywhere for them. I have seen nesting Pied Oystercatchers down on the Noosa River, but have not seen young ones down there either.
My birding book says that juveniles have brown/black back and wing feathers with paler edges and the bill is reddish with a dusky tip.

Adult Pied Oystercatcher
Juvenile Pied Oystercatcher
Juvenile with Adult
Video of adult Pied Oystercatcher giving warning calls to Juvenile

Sarah with Orla and Barbara from Ireland