After the Floods at Shoalhaven Heads

Like many NSW rivers the Shoalhaven on the state’s south coast has been in flood a number of times this year. At Shoalhaven Heads the high water levels have opened this intermittent second channel of the river up to the ocean, reducing the area on which migratory and other water birds can roost. Despite this it was encouraging to see 12 of the endangered Eastern Curlews roosting on a distant sand bar during last week’s visit.

This Superb Fairy-wren was making the most of the prolific insect life amongst the debris washed up from the river during recent floods

While I was watching this large log travelled down the river at considerable speed, then slowed as it met the waters of the incoming tide.

Another of the many Superb Fairy-wrens feeding amongst the washed up logs.

This Red-capped Plover skips quickly away to be safely out of the reach of this photographer. It was feeding on a small sand-bar, shared with a number of fishermen taking advantage of the changed conditions.

Another Red-capped Plover on the sand-bar..

A Little Pied Cormorant dries his wings on another large log washed down the river during the floods.

Visit to Shoalhaven Heads and Comerong Island

Shoalhaven Heads 150 km south of Sydney is a good place to see shorebirds and waders. It is one of the key NSW sites for migratory birds over the summer. 

At this time of the year, late May, it is reasonably quiet. When I visited last week there were Black Swans, Grey and Chestnut Teal, Red-capped Plover, Sooty Oystercatchers, Masked Lapwings and a White-faced Heron on the mudflats. Two White-bellied Sea-Eagles appeared, one carrying what appeared to be a hapless Australian Raven while two further Ravens attacked. They flew low over the sand hills before disappearing on the town side of the river. 

The mouth of the Shoalhaven River is often blocked by sand and you can walk across to Comerong Island Nature Reserve, which lists over 150 bird species. While walking at the high tide mark I disturbed a Buff-banded Rail. It flustered off then peered back through the tussock. There were Yellow and Brown Thornbills, Brown Gerygones, Silvereyes and a Bandicoot quite happy to dig its holes along the path ahead, oblivious to my presence.  

White-bellied Sea-Eagle with Australian Raven at Shoalhaven Heads