Hello,
Last Sunday we had a look at the Little Terns nesting at Tully Heads. Very Happy to see the council's road block, beach-nesting sign (some of those words were So familiar....) and big rocks, so people cannot drive out to the end of the spit anymore (thanks CCRC). Mind you, one cast-netting fisherman had his unleashed small dog with him. I guess the dog couldn't read either.
Last Sunday we had a look at the Little Terns nesting at Tully Heads. Very Happy to see the council's road block, beach-nesting sign (some of those words were So familiar....) and big rocks, so people cannot drive out to the end of the spit anymore (thanks CCRC). Mind you, one cast-netting fisherman had his unleashed small dog with him. I guess the dog couldn't read either.
We could see about 5 chicks, one partly downy and others partly feathered (but tail-less, very cute), but more may have been concealed among the beach wrack and tight group of Red-capped Plovers mixed in the terns. Didn't approach very closely as they were very contentedly loafing, and occasionally bringing small silvery fish back to chicks (just too far away to id the fish!).
One fish-bearing adult landed near the wrong chick, which rushed up hopefully, then flew off and did a few passes before it landed by the right chick. Very neat to see. On the river side of the spit were Great and Lesser Crested Terns, all in gorgeous breeding dress and several pairs of Great Crested were doing their "I am more impressive than anyone" dances to each other, hair on end. You can see counts and species list here http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S9529706 on eBird (I also put Aust birds into the Atlas project separately). Hopefully these beach-nesting terns will have similar protection along our coast.
Helen
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Helen
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