Wood Sandpipers

I was thrilled to see a pair of exquisite Wood Sandpipers at the Western Treatment Plant recently; and rapt that they were just close enough to capture some images.

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 400

Wood Sandpipers are graceful wading birds that feed on aquatic critters by wading through shallow water and probing the mud. They have distinct plumage with their dark brownish-grey backs speckled with light spots; their necks and breasts are mottled while their underparts are white. They have a two-tone bill that is yellow near the base and tapers to a fine, black point. They have yellowish legs and a gentle dark eye ringed with white feathers, and white rumps that are visible in flight.

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 800

Wood Sandpipers are more often seen in northern Australia than in the south, they are sometimes seen among flocks of the more abundant Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. This pair were feeding together fairly near the edge of a reedy pond.

April is the latest I could generally hope to see these birds although a handful are known to sometimes stay in Australia over winter. Waders are truly remarkable birds, migrating vast distances to breed in the northern hemisphere. Wood Sandpipers from Australia are believed to breed in east Siberia. They are usually quite slim and as these birds are looking well-fed they may be putting on weight ready to head off on a trip of many thousands of miles.

Happy birding, Kim

Update on the Victorian duck shooting season

Great news this week as the government closed Johnson Swamp, near Kerang, for the remainder of the shooting season due to the presence of protected species including the Australasian Bittern. Thanks to Animals Australia and CADS for continuing to advocate for our native waterbirds, and to the ministers who made the decision.

A resident from northern Victoria was featured on WIN News this week when she visited her MPs office with a dead Pelican that she found on her riverside property. A few weeks ago she took dozens of shot birds to the same place. The news broadcast can be viewed on this link: Confronting scenes in Euchuca

If you’d like to add your voice to thousands of other compassionate environmentalists please contact your MP and/or add your name to (and share) these petitions:

Ban Duck Shooting – ALV petition to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews
Ban Recreational Duck Shooting – AA petition to add Victoria to the list of states that have already imposed a ban