Between Yeppoon and Emu Park, not far from Kinka Beach, is a lovely area of wetlands which, at different times of the year, becomes home for a large variety of water birds.
I have also been there at times when the water had dried up and the birds were few and far between.
However in Today’s column, I plan to mention a number of different birds that were there when the water was abundant and the birds had taken advantage of this opportunity.
The area has a built-up road crossing from the entrance right across to the far end.
On the side away from the sea, one species that foraged through the ankle-deep water was the Black-winged Stilt, also known as the Pied Stilt. One of these is pictured here.
This bird builds a grass nest coming up high above the water. I was fortunate enough to find one of these and photograph the bird sitting.
At one time, a group of about ten Brolgas moved through the grass at the end of the water but had moved on a few days later.
On another occasion, I walked to the far end of the road to where it took a small turn around a corner. A group of Swans had taken up residence there, gliding gracefully through the water, seemingly in pairs.
A solitary Jabiru was moving slowly along through water which was almost up to its body.
Different ducks were there as well, some being the Black Duck, Grey Teal and Chestnut Teal as well.
On the seaward side of the road, on one visit, were two pairs of Radjah Shelducks probably better known to many locals as the Burdekin Duck. Surprisingly, one year, a Red-capped Plover nested on the roadway.
