Several observers reported seeing the Painted Snipe on Ash Island at the
December meeting of the Hunter Bird Observers Club last week. One
observation was that they had been seen mating so they may be there for
some time.
If traveling north from Sydney take the F3 and Pacific Highway to the
bridge over the Hunter at Hexham. Here continue on towards Newcastle
rather than go over the bridge. About two kilometres on look for the
bridge to Ash Island and Koorgang Wetlands over the South Arm of the
Hunter opposite the Hexham McDonald's. From this point continue on the
main tar road for 1.5km. At this point the entrance to the model
aircraft flying field is on the right. On your left is a privately owned
swampy field used to graze cattle. The Painted Snipe have been observed
in this field, about 100 to 150 metres from the road in the vicinity an
old casaurina tree. some observers have sighted them within a minute,
others after two hours. It is largely a question of luck, depending on
weather they are out in the open or in long kikuyu grass. If they can
not be seen from the road try walking along the path in the regenerated
land just to the north of the Snipe field.
Cheers,
Jim Smart.
East Maitland NSW
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