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| Godwits, Knots and Sharpie |
The October 13th 2021 mid-week outing was at the wader roost at Toorbul. 21 people were in attendance.
The event was to take place between 3pm and 5pm to align with a high tide predicted around 4pm. Early attendees arrived around 2:15pm to an already-high waterline, mainly due to south-east winds forcing the rising water onto the Toorbul shore.
At 2:20pm, a stranger walked behind the roost and flushed all the waders, which all flew across to Bribie Island, apparently making for the Kakadu Beach roost.
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| Common Greenshank |
By the time all attendees had arrived, with no waders to view, the afternoon became a waiting game to see if any waders would return. The group passed the time identifying bush birds that were flying over.
Despite weather reports forecasting storm cells during the day, no rain interfered with the afternoon’s activities.
Many people departed before the scheduled 5pm end of the outing. The stalwarts held on, and by 5:15, Whimbrels were returning and making tentative efforts to land, but the water was still very high. Over the next half hour, as the water started receding, more and more birds found places to settle in the shallow water.
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| Rainbow Bee-eater |
By 5:45, other waders were joining the Whimbrels. Those people who persisted were treated to a spectacular event of hundreds of waders approaching from Bribie and settling very close. The outing drew to a close in failing light.
What started out as a disappointing wader day turned into a most memorable afternoon at the best wader roost on the Sunshine Coast.
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| Sharp tailed Sandpiper |
A total of 64 species were seen, with another three species heard.
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| Brahminy Kite |
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