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Stockton Spit

To: "birding aus" <>
Subject: Stockton Spit
From: "Allan Benson" <>
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2002 18:24:10 +1000
Attention Sydney and Newcastle Birders
 
 
I ran into Alan Stuart (Hunter Bird Observers Club) on Ash Island on Saturday. Alan confirmed that the waders were using Stockton Spit as a high tide roost again after some modifications to remove some mangroves. This must be very satisfying for those involved in this project as lot of work was done to make this area more attractive to the waders but unfortunately, until recently the waders have chosen to shun this area. Alan said the monthly wader count that HBOC conducts reveals that although the number of waders is significantly down on years gone by, the numbers have stablised in the last 3-4 years. Plans are in hand to make some "improvements" at  Fullerton Cove and hopefully this may see an increase in the number of waders using the Hunter. 
 
The significance to local birders is that it makes the Hunter estuary waders accessible again and there is the opportunity to scope through large numbers of waders in an attempt to turn up something out of the ordinary.
 
Ash Island is as dry as I've ever seen it. Areas that usually have permanent water are dry and the "Duck Pond" is full of algae bloom with no ducks and only 100+ Whiskered Tern and 30-50 Black-Winged Stilt to be seen. The "Swan Pond" has plenty of water with 300+ Black Swan, a handful of Hoary-headed Grebe and a lone Hardhead.  
 
The northern swamp Leneghans Rd is nearly dry but contained 13 Glossy Ibis and 3 Yellow-billed Sponbill. The southern swamp has plenty of water and contained a good assortment of ducks. Cedars Rd swamp has plenty of water on both sides of the causeway with large number so ducks and coots in the northern section.
 
However, these swamps are drying out rapidly. If these are acting as drought refuge for waterfowl, where will they of if these dry upa?.
 
Allan    
Allan Benson
Ourimbah
NSW
43627189
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