Hi All,
The first of two Lower Hunter River
boat cruises to see the migratory waders on the Kooragang Dykes at high tide and
to see the Kooragang mangrove wetlands was held yesterday 26/02/02 from
9-1200hrs organised by the Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project (KWRP).
About 30 people present and there were plenty of birds to see. On the dykes were
at least 80 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Knots, 20 Curlew Sandpipers, 600 Eastern
Curlews, small numbers of Stilts, 2000+ Avocets, 1500+ Bar-tailed Godwits,
Greenshanks, Golden Plover etc. Also seen were Night Heron, White-faced &
Striated Herons, Royal Spoonbills, 100s of Pelicans, Crested, Caspian, Common
& one White-winged Black Tern, a Common Sandpiper was seen along a bank, a
peregrine made a pass at the waderes on the dykes, 2 Bropwn Goshawks, 5
Sea-eagles 7 2 Whistling kites were seen along the river, and more Eastern
Curlew, Greenshank, Marsh sandpiper and Avocets were seen on some of the
saltmarshes while c 20 Whimbrel were roosting in mangroves. At a cost of $18
which includes morning tea, it was a worthwhile morning.
Another trip has been organised by
the KWRP on Saturday 30 March 2002, 9.30 am from the Stockton Ferry Wharf at
Newcastle, contact Sue Rostras for details on 49 649308.
After the ferry trip, at least 6
people went onto to Ash Island where they were successful in seeing at
least 2 Yellow Wagtails on Wagtail Way!! One being very yellow. Also to be seen
here are plenty of White-fronted Chats, 31 Golden Plover, plenty Sharp-tailed
Sandpiper (but not the 1000+ on 22/2/02), Marsh Sandpipers and Greenshanks, and
more Avocets and Stilts.
Alan
Morris
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