Reports of increased diversity and abundance of shorebirds in northern Australia in recent weeks has prompted me to be on the lookout for shorebirds at all the key locations which I frequent from week to week. A few days ago, my regular shorebird survey at Boat Harbour revealed a rise in numbers and diversity at that site but today’s survey of Long Reef indicated that things are now definitely in full swing.

We’ve gone from around 20 Red-necked Stints and a couple of Ruddy Turnstones, to almost 100 stints, 20 Ruddy Turnstones, several Pacific Golden Plover, 2 Grey-tailed Tattler and a Red Knot. Numbers can be expected to grow considerably in coming weeks.

Whilst counting today, around 50 of the Red-necked Stints departed the reef in a southerly direction. They didn’t return within 10 or 15 minutes, so we’re presuming that they’ve continued on their journey to wintering grounds further south.

This is yet another moment in this ancient and wonderful story which has been playing since long before a human footprint was placed on this earth. It’s been acted out on the cold and vast tundra of Alaska and Siberia, the massive mudflats of the Yellow Sea and the mudflats, wetlands, beaches and rocky headlands of Australia and all of the near endless skies in between. It’s a story which beckons us to explore the countless other stories which every species of life on this amazing planet has to tell. It’s a story which reminds us what a precious and wonderful little speck we find ourselves on: perhaps the only speck in the universe where anything remotely like the riches that we experience actually exist. We’ve risen to a position of custodianship on this planet: a position which holds unimaginable responsibility. Let’s hope that more people will learn this story of the migratory shorebirds and come to understand the importance of the decisions which we are all facing at this time in history.

Here’s a few images from today’s survey:

Two Grey-tailed Tattlers, a Ruddy Turnstone and Pacific Golden Plover catching a high tide snooze. © 2009 Ricki Coughlan.

Ruddy Turnstones, Red-necked Stints and a Red Knot (preening, top left) at their roost. © 2009 Ricki Coughlan.

Foraging Red-necked Stints. Note that these birds cannot see their prey, they're using highly sensitive bill tips to feel their way through the algae for tiny invertebrates. © 2009 Ricki Coughlan.

It was great to see so many stints foraging on the reef as the tide lowered. © 2009 Ricki Coughlan.

Filed under:
Birding, Shorebirds by Ricki