Beach stone-curlew. Photo: Summerdrought By Nola Thorpe
FOR a month or so I had been hearing reports of a beach stone-curlew being seen around Inverloch. A beach stone-curlew would normally be found around the shoreline of northern states from Shark Bay in WA to Nambucca Heads in NSW.
It is a very large thick-set wader that is readily distinguished from all other waders by its size, massive bill with yellow patches at the base and a bold black and white pattern on its head.
I had been down three times to see if I could catch a glimpse but with no luck. Then
one sunny Sunday we had been down to Inverloch to one of the markets and I thought,
“Here goes, I’ll try again”.
FOR a month or so I had been hearing reports of a beach stone-curlew being seen around Inverloch. A beach stone-curlew would normally be found around the shoreline of northern states from Shark Bay in WA to Nambucca Heads in NSW.
It is a very large thick-set wader that is readily distinguished from all other waders by its size, massive bill with yellow patches at the base and a bold black and white pattern on its head.
I had been down three times to see if I could catch a glimpse but with no luck. Then
one sunny Sunday we had been down to Inverloch to one of the markets and I thought,
“Here goes, I’ll try again”.
Eric bought a cup of coffee and said he would wait in the car. We drove to the Screw
Creek car park and I set off around the beach towards Townsends Bluff. The tide was
well out and sandbars were stretching across most of the inlet. As far as I could see,
there was very little bird activity but I decided to walk around the beach towards the
bridge.
When I was almost to the creek I noticed a flock of ibises at the cliff base so decided
to check them out with my binoculars. And what do you know, there was the curlew
among them. It was the first time I had ever seen one so I spent quite a bit of time
watching i.
When I got back to the car Eric saw me coming and knew immediately, by the look on
my face, that I had been successful.
Creek car park and I set off around the beach towards Townsends Bluff. The tide was
well out and sandbars were stretching across most of the inlet. As far as I could see,
there was very little bird activity but I decided to walk around the beach towards the
bridge.
When I was almost to the creek I noticed a flock of ibises at the cliff base so decided
to check them out with my binoculars. And what do you know, there was the curlew
among them. It was the first time I had ever seen one so I spent quite a bit of time
watching i.
When I got back to the car Eric saw me coming and knew immediately, by the look on
my face, that I had been successful.