The printed metal sign at the northern tip of Coon Island has some diagrams of the birds mentioned, and gives the following information:
Coon Island is a wonderful place for bird-watching. In late spring, migratory shorebirds reach the lake after epic journeys from the Arctic Circle. At low tide, they fan out across the sand-flats searching for food.
SHHH…DO NOT DISTURB
When migratory shorebirds arrive after their long journey they have lost half their body weight and are very tired. They need to feed and rest undisturbed. You can help protect birds by keeping your dogs under control at all times whilst on the island. There is a nearby leash free area at Thomas Humphreys Reserve.
EASTERN CURLEW
Eastern Curlews are the largest shorebird in the world and travel more than 12,000 km arriving each summer from as far afield as Siberia and Alaska, to roost in our region. When they arrive they need food and rest. On their return journey to breeding grounds in the Northern Hemisphere, they traverse the East Asia-Australasian Flyway, stopping to feed en-route. If weather conditions are adverse, they have been known to abort their journey and return to spend winter in Australia.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT
The Bar-tailed Godwit is a champion pilot. Scientists fitted a Bar-tailed Godwit with a satellite tracker. They were amazed to follow its journey, which set the record for the longest known non-stop flight of any bird: 11,800 km in a single flight! Despite this prowess, their numbers are sadly declining due to human impacts on their environment.
PIED OYSTER-CATCHER
With its striking black-and-white plumage, vivid red bill and evocative piping call, the Australian Pied Oystercatcher is familiar to many people who visit our beaches. Oystercatchers, who mate for life, are typically seen probing the sand or mud with their long bills in search of sandworms, molluscs or crabs, sometimes hammering at their shells. Or they may be seen roosting at high tide, sometimes with other species, such as gulls, cormorants, waterfowl or other waders.
WHITE-FACED HERON
This is one of the most common birds on Coon Island. With their long, slim neck, blue-grey colouring and white face they are easy to recognise. They have a lovely, slow-bouncing flight.Look out for long feathers on their head, neck and back that show when they are breeding. White-faced Heron are excellent hunters. Watch them standing and waiting for their prey, slowly stalking it, frantically dashing after it or disturbing it by stirring the water with their feet.
CRESTED TERN
There are few stretches of the Australian coastline where the Crested Tern cannot be seen - it has been known as both the Bass Straights Tern and the Torres Straits Tern!
They breed in colonies on small offshore islands where their nests are so densely packed together that adjacent owners can touch each other's bills. Though the Crested Tern is usually a strictly coastal species, there are occasional records in the arid interior of Australia, where birds were possibly blown by passing tropical cyclones!
LITTLE EGRET
The Little Egret is a small white egret with dark grey-black legs, black bill and a bright yellow naked face. In the breeding season the plumage includes two ribbon-like head feathers, and abundant feathers on the back and breast. While some species of egret forage in wetlands using the patient stand-and-wait strategy, or slowly creeping up on their prey, the Little Egret is often far more active inn pursuit of food. Not content to simply stand in the shallows, the Little Egret is regularly seen dashing about excitedly, jerkily lifting its feet high out of the water while darting in this direction and that in pursuit of fish or other aquatic animals, often with its wings raised and fluttered.
FIND OUT MORE:
Bird-watching is an enjoyable way to appreciate Lake Macquarie's beautiful natural environment.
* John Hunter Bird Observers Club: www.hboc.org.au
* Get involved in conservation programs with Birdlife Australia: www.birdlife.org.au
Visited: 1456, Saturday, 15 July, 2017