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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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