As September moves on spring activity has increased, birds are active with nest building and courting. The Latham’s Snipes have arrived; the one photographed below was one of three flushed from the D and E Cells of the Byron Bay Wetlands. Despite lower water levels and more mudflat the Snipes are the only migrant birds seen on the wetlands so far this year. A number of Pied Stilts have moved in as well as up to a dozen Black-fronted Dotterel. A Black-necked Stork was seen visiting but so far has not turned up for a photo session with yours truly. And there is an increased presence of foxes as waterbird numbers increase.
For the last month at the wetland’s front gate a pair of Tawny Grassbirds have been busy while making a lot of buzzing and trilling sounds.
Lathams Snipes fly fast and low after they have been disturbed from the wetland reeds. Even a quiet approach some 50 metres distant is enough to set these birds on the move.
Three Latham's Snipes in D Cell of the wetland.
Another busy spring arrival, this Buff-banded Rail (or friend of) has been seen all over the place the last two weeks.
This Mistletoebird has been calling in the same area at the wetland gates almost every day for weeks.
Mr Fox, here splashing after ducks - who all departed rapidly.