Hello All,
On 15/4/01 the South Island Pied Oystercatcher (SIPO) was seen in the afternoon
on the groyne at the southern end of Clontarf Beach.
It was probably also trying to rest during high-tide on the rock-wall near the
boat-ramp in Pelican Park, Clontarf but I arrived at around 2:30 pm just in time
to see a couple of children chase a group of oystercatchers from that spot.
These oystercatchers appeared to fly to the groyne mentioned above.
Later in the afternoon these oystercatchers were flushed from this location by a
couple of people who wanted to sit on the rocks while having a late afternoon
'cuppa'. The flock of oystercatchers, including the SIPO then flew to a 'new'
location several hundred metres to the west.
This is a worthwhile spot to check-out if the SIPO is not at the other locations
I have been mentioning.
Directions to this new location:
Brisbane UBD Refidex road directory, Map 91 C19, the western end of Haysmouth
Parade.
This road is almost due west of the groyne at the southern end of Clontarf Beach
(see below for directions to this location).
Coming from Brisbane (from the south) it is necessary to be in the left lane
when exiting the Houghton Highway Bridge.
Take the left lane off the bridge (do not go along the Esplanade that follows
the waterfront).
Turn left immediately after going through the traffic lights (immediately means
a couple of metres).
If coming from the north the road can be accessed from the right-hand lane of
Elizabeth Ave by turning right at the traffic lights at the northern end of the
Houghton Highway Bridge. This can be confusing the first time. If you find
yourself heading onto the bridge it is possibly to circle back through the maze
before entering onto the bridge and then turn left into Haysmouth Pde as
described above for when coming from Brisbane.
The road appears to have no name sign at the moment but you will be in the
correct road if you are going up a fairly steep incline immediately after
turning the corner.
Continue to the end of the road.
Look for the bird along the shore line in this area.
If tempted to walk on the intertidal area be careful of soft patches.
I would suggest looking in this area after checking out the following locations:
(a couple of hours either side of high-tide would appear to be the best time)
First choice:
The boat-ramp in Pelican Park is shown on Map 91 at F18 in the Brisbane UBD
Refidex.
For those people coming from Brisbane over the Houghton Highway, take the
Esplanade that follows the water-front; turn right at the first entrance to
Pelican Park (opposite the Shell service station on the corner of Thomas
St).
Please be careful if you are tempted to walk out on this rock wall as the
boulders can be slippery at times.
Second choice:
Street directory reference: UBD Refidex Map 91, D19.
At the southern end of Clontarf Beach.
This rock groyne is at the start of the rock wall and is adjacent to the traffic
lights at the Redcliffe end of the Houghton Highway Bridge.
An obvious marker is the advertising sign: :Subway, Subway, Subway'.
This sign will be across the road and behind you as you view the groyne.
This is probably an alternative high tide roost for when things get a bit hectic
at the boat-ramp.
Take care with the traffic at this location as the road system is a little
complex and the traffic can be constant and some people like to travel quickly
along here.
Third choice:
(Crockatt Park, Woody Point)
To get to Crockatt Park, Woody Point, from Pelican Park, continue along the
Esplanade and take the right hand turn before the 'main' road sweeps to the
left.
Continue carefully into the 'business' area (where the round-about and
centre-parking bays are).
Immediately to your right is Crockatt Park.
The area to the east of the jetty is also a good place to check out before and
after high tide.
This area can be busy at weekends.
Tide times:
16th April: 4:00 pm
17th April: 5:30 pm
18th April: 5:40 am; 6:30 pm
19th April: 6:30 am; 7:15 pm
20th April: 7:20 am; 7:55 pm
(approx times)
To see some images of the Woody Point South Island Pied Oystercatcher click on:
http://www.powerup.com.au/~inglisrc/sipowp_page_1.htm
Good luck,
Bob Inglis
Woody Point
SE Queensland
Australia
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