Hi All,
Last Friday, March 15, towards the end of our survey of the Caloundra
sandbanks, our team witnessed one of the wonders of the bird world - a flock
of 30 Eastern Curlew departing on migration.
We were at that stage stationed on the mainland at Bulcock Beach, and
looking south towards the sandbanks. It was 6pm, and we noted sunset at
6.05pm. The breeze was south-easterly and light. The low tide had bottomed
at around 5pm, and it would normally have been shorebird feeding time. The
curlew flew in formation further north than the sandbanks, where they never
go, almost to the mainland where we sat, turned abruptly east and followed
the shoreline, through the entrance to the Pumicestone Passage, and out to
the north.
This is the third time I have witnessed this wonder in Caloundra, but the
first time with Eastern Curlew. The other two times were with Whimbrel, when
there was a fair amount of calling. On Friday I heard quite a bit of curlew
calling prior to the departure, but I have to admit I was so busy counting
thousands of terns (30.000 on Friday) that I paid it scant attention until I
went back over it in my mind afterwards. The Curlew did not call as they
left.
Cheers,
Jill
--
Jill Dening
Sunshine Coast, Qld
26º 51' 152º 56'
Ph (07) 5494 0994
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