where are all the ducks

["Roger Giller" <>]

I was at Sussex Inlet (NSW South Coast Estuary) last weekend and a relative 
who has a holiday home there commented that there were not nearly as many 
ducks this year. He was referring to the Pacific Black Ducks, Wood Ducks and 
Chestnut Teal that are usually present on the "canals".
The absence of ducks was more than compensated for by the presence of a pair 
of Masked Lapwings nesting about 2 metres from the water's edge in front of 
his neighbours place, and the Buff-banded Rail that was standing on his boat 
ramp one morning.