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Hi Birders,
Each late summer and early autumn,
the Kooragang Wetland Rehabiliation Project organises some Hunter Estuary
tours on the boat "Lady Joy" so that people can learn about the importanmce of
the natural resources of the Hunter Estuary, its wildlife and its management
issues. The three and half hour cruise commences in the Port of Newcastle and
includes at trip up the mangrove-lined Mosheto Creek on Kooragang Island, within
Kooragang Nature Reserve and a view of the Kooragang dykes both when
running up and down the river to see the migratory waders and other waterbirds
that roost on the dykes at high tide. At this time of the year most of the
waders have assumed the brilliant red of their summer breeding plumages and are
a great sight to see!
The trip on Sunday 20th March 2004 is
the last one for the season and there are still plenty of vacancies on this
particular trip. My write up on the previous trip on Sunday 7th March was
placed on Birding-aus on 8 March 2004 and details the 3000+ migratory waders
seen that day on the dykes. This was in addition to all the Caspian Terns, Pied
& Sooty Oystercatchers, Royal Spoonbills and other waterbirds present. 5
Sea-Eagles & 3 Whistling Kites were also seen and White-winged Black Terns
and Common Terns were feeding in the Harbour. Following the trip, some of the
participants usually end up at Stockton Sandspit to view the waders which by
then should be coming to feed on the mud flats that will be starting to become
exposed as the tide falls. Sue Rostrus from KWRP and I ( the volunteer Birds
Australia Rep on the KWRP) give the commentry.
Call Sue Rostrus, KWRP Tel 0249
649308 or mobile 0419 019662 for more details. Cost $30 adult & $26 for
Concession Card holders.
Alan
Morris
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