The places easiest to get to for finding waders in the Hunter estuary
are as follows:
1. Northern end of Stockton bridge. There is a track in on the NE side
of the bridge (turn towards Stockton to access it) and a car park below
the bridge. Watch out for White-fronted Chat, Striated Heron and
Mangrove Gerygone as well. It's also worthwhile to drive further down
the road towards Stockton, watching for waders on your right until you
reach the sewage treatment plant where you can find a range of ducks,
gulls/terns etc and can walk to the beach and see - whatever. Last time
I did this, I saw a group of 5 penguins out at sea.
2. Southern end of Stockton bridge. There's parking for fishers etc on
the SW side. From there, you can walk partway along the dykes, which
are an important high tide roost.
3. The "big pond", a freshwater lake almost directly opposite the
windmill. Although sometimes fairly dry, this is a reliable area for
some of the wader species and it's where the rarer species tend to be -
e.g. Pectoral Sandpiper, Ruff, Banded Stilt - when they turn up. As far
as I know, there are no rarities currently present. Just the usual
fabulous stuff.
4. It's also possible to access the western side of the Kooragang
Island Nature Reserve, and get to the dykes from the opposite approach.
There are also some tidal lagoons. This involves crossing railway land
and so is not officially permitted.
5. It's also worth going to Ash Island (and which is being
rehabilitated so progressively is getting even better). To get there,
head west along the Pacific Highway, until almost at the McDonalds
building at Hexham. Turn right at the Ash Island bridge. Then, follow
your nose but making your way east. Some of the tracks aren't the best,
but you can get to the Hunter River on either side of the island, and
find waders plus lots of other things along the way. It's a very good
place for White-fronted Chat.
6. Don't overlook a visit to the Shortland Wetlands Centre, on
Sandgate Road. You can find 60 species in an hour there! The Newcastle
Wetlands Reserve on the other side of the road is also pretty good (and
is a better place for some species e.g. Latham's Snipe).
Alan Stuart
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On Jan 5, John Clifton-Everest wrote:
I am hoping to make a swift visit to the Hunter estuary in a few days,
and would like to make the best of the waders there. Unfortunately my
map is not very helpful as to just where to go. Can anyone provide
details of the best spot, and how to get there, for someone with just a
few hours at his disposal?
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