Was down at the spit at Penhryn road this morning on a very high tide. I
gathered from previous correspondents that the little tern nest was out in
the middle of the spit. The spit had disappeaered under water, but four
little terns were still about, back behind the first layers of grasses and
just a few metres from the start of the thick scrub.
Two still appeared to be defending a nest from the sixty or so silver gulls
all standing within ten metres.
Just as close - but not attracting so much ire - were 104 bar-tailed
godwits, 8 curlew sandpipers and 72 red-necked stints.
It was very crowded there above the high water mark.
Mark Whittaker
-----Original Message-----
From: TERRILL NORDSTROM
Sent: Sunday, 14 December 2003 11:23
To: birding-aus
Subject: Terek Sandpiper
Went to Penrhyn Estuary (Botany Bay) on Saturday to check on the nesting
Little Tern and saw a Terek Sandpiper feeding at low tide. Also seen were
six Great Knots and 10 Curlew Sandpipers. The Little Tern nest is still
surviving despite the dogs, cats, walkers, fishermen and any thing else that
modern man can throw at these poor birds. With a lot of luck they should
hatch some time this week.
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