Behind the surf and sand hills of Belongil Beach, north of Byron Bay in New South Wales Northern Rivers region, are the remnant wetlands left by the ancient wanderings of Belongil Creek. The number of Latham’s Snipes in the area are counted as part of an Australia wide count that keeps track of numbers of this endangered bird species. At last weeks count there were nine snipe feeding in the reeds and grasses of the wetland’s shores.
No snipe in this particular pond but this Dusky Moorhen has chosen it to build an island nest. There were also two Wandering Whistling-Ducks making their distinctive call on the pond’s bank.
This White-breasted Woodswallow was busy with nest building. A pair of Magpie-larks were also nesting nearby.