Noosa Estuary Shorebird Survey

A quick roundup of what went on the latest shorebird count on Monday 18th July.

It was a typical winter count, with low bird numbers. My gut feeling is that there were lower than usual numbers. Foremost in my mind afterwards is the absence of double banded plovers for the second month running. These trans Tasman migrants spend the winter here, arriving from February, and leaving in early September. If any of you has seen DNPL in Noosa this winter, please do let me know. We’ve never had a winter without them, and I hadn’t heard anything concerning about their welfare.

Glorious weather, with more human recreational activity than usual for a midweek day. A bit of dog activity, though all dogs were well contained by owners. One was illegally on the sand island, but causing no trouble.

Despite failing to find evidence, I have a feeling the Pied Oystercatchers may be attempting to breed early on the sand island. The island doesn’t close to the public until October, so they won’t get much peace.

The return of the northern sand spit puts pressure on council compliance people to ensure vehicles are kept off the area, as soon enough red-capped plovers will start trying to breed there. If vehicles compact the area, there will be no breeding habitat there for birds.

As for species, there was a normal mix, as I shall list below. Crested Tern numbers seemed unusually low for July, but it could have been merely a snapshot while many were out at sea fishing. The excellent inland breeding conditions were evidenced by the low numbers or absence of pelicans, cormorants and Australian (gull billed) terns. Our beloved Beach Stone-Curlews were seen on the sand island. I’ll include Sacred Kingfishers, though not shorebirds, because they are a feature of winter on the sandbanks in Noosa.

Jill Dening, Group Coordinator