It is yet another irony that this scenic and interesting place is now associated by most Australians only with the sad and dramatic events of recent days. I made a short visit there last October driving back to Canberra from Melbourne. Martin Butterfield had suggested as a vantage point for shorebirds a spot beside the vast waterside caravan/camping park. Only distant views of the birds, but it was a peaceful and satisfying scene looking over the sand flats towards the entrance. The nearby camping spaces were closed while the amenities were being refurbished for the coming busy season. I am sorry for all those people who have suffered as a result of the fires.
The distant flock in the below snaps contains 3 species, the usual godwit and both knots. The English Names Committee has recently considered names for the 3 Bar-tailed Godwit subspecies recorded for Australia. The names chosen are taken from the names of localities used by each subspecies in the northern hemisphere.
