WADER WEEKENDS

I had a chance to do some wader watching while having a picnic lunch with family at Scarborough on the Redcliffe peninsula just north of Brisbane. I wandered over to some exposed rocks on the shoreline not expecting much, when I saw these birds, mainly roosting. 

Eastern Curlew

They blended in very well and without my binoculars would have been difficult to pick up.

Top to bottom - Eastern Curlew, Pacific Golden Plover, Whimbrel.

Some people exploring the rocks put the birds to flight, causing the lone curlew to join some local gulls in the deeper water nearby. 

Eastern Curlew and Silver Gull

Silver Gull preening.

A couple of weekends ago I went out specifically to do some wader watching with a friend. Our favourite place is at Toorbul about halfway between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

Southern roost at Toorbul

It has a large area for the waders to rest on the high tides and is well sign posted to minimise the disturbance of this important habitat. With the on going reclamation of many of their resting and feeding sites in Asia

these birds need all the help they can get.

Assorted waders

A couple of kangaroos decided to have a sun bake on the sand between the mudflats.The birds didn't seem to mind.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Whimbrels.

Bar-tailed Godwits

Australian Pied Oystercatchers.

Australian Pelicans.

This little critter made itself welcome on our back verandah recently and I've been trawling the net trying to identify it. I think it is one of the Litoria species, maybe a Rocketfrog type.

Litoria sp.?

PETRIE PARK WALK

A couple of weekends ago I did an early morning walk through one of Nambours parks, Petrie Park, right in the heart of town. On this occasion I didn't spot any platypuses but was able to get close to a couple of other local residents.

Petrie Creek

Pacific Black Duck

There is a volunteer group doing re-vegetation and cleanups, and the park is a real credit to them and the local council. A green oasis in the heart of a busy regional town.

Petrie Creek

This pair were having a dabble and didn't seem concerned by the discarded tyre nearby, probably deposited by the recent flooding. It was disappointing to see the shopping trolleys that had been dumped in the creek.

This character was sun bathing on the warm concrete of the footpath and wasn't moving for anyone. They are quite common along the creek and this was a male, close to the 80cm length these lizards can grow to.

Eastern Water Dragon

While visiting the park I was hoping to see some Barred Cuckoo-Shrikes, which are regularly seen in the area, but I have always missed. While taking the dragon pics I heard an unfamiliar call and was able to observe and identify two of my target birds in the trees beside the creek. I was pretty chuffed, after having dipped on this species on numerous occasions.

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The photo below was sent by a friend who had seen this bird not far from his place last year.

Barred Cuckoo-Shrike