Eastern Australia - November 2008
Waders: page 2
Eastern Curlews were only seen along the Esplanade at Cairn's where they were fairly numerous; a larger and darker version of Eurasian Curlew.
A mixed wader flock at the Cairn's Esplanade on my return visit ten days after then first. The primary species here is Red-necked Stint but there are also four other species hidden amongst them, hover over the above image to see where they are:
Along with Australian Bustard this stunning Beach Stone Curlew at Wonga Beach made for a superb double bill of target birds on this particular day. The lengthy Wonga Beach was all but deserted by people and birds with just one of each present, excluding me. The only bird present for miles was this guy, a real corker. The only other Beach Stone Curlew was one on the edge of the Mangroves at Cairn's Esplanade where the views were just not as awesome.
Terek Sandpipers were fairly numerous, though not common, at Cairn's Esplanade. This bird was photographed during a short down poor on an incoming tide in the afternoon, incoming afternoon/evening tides are the best time to visit the north end of the Esplanade.
On my first visit to the Esplanade at Cairn's there wasn't a single Great Knot, ten days later on my second visit there were hundreds. The incoming tide pushed a flock of around 300 right up to the beach and only a few metres from the cycle track where cyclists, walkers and joggers were all passing by. These shots are all from that flock. There was little good light at the time due to overcast conditions and rain and along with the grey water background getting any decent images that were not to dark or blown out was a challenge but I think I managed some pretty decent images, only took about 400 shots to get these good pics.
The other very common wader at Cairn's Esplanade was the Red-necked Stint. At least 400 were present including a fine flock of a couple hundred on my first afternoon right up above the tide line at the north end, more or less where the Great Knots gathered ten days later.
