I had recently seen photos of some of the Bar-tailed Godwits that feed in Hen and Chicken Bay before their long migratory flight north. I decided to go to Abbotsford and look for the birds. I travelled there by Light Rail and then the 438 bus. But I neglected to consult the tide website – and when I arrived it was high tide time. No good for looking at birds feeding on mudflats.
So I decided to have a look around and see what birds were there. Straight off, I spotted some Pied Stilts. These are birds that do feed on mudflats.
But all of a sudden the Pied Stilts left.
Some new birds had arrived – Little Black Cormorants.
And then a Great Egret arrived.
There were also some Crested Terns hunting for fish.
The Great Egret was following the Little Black Cormorants. It was hoping to get some of the spoils that the Cormorants may stir up.
The Little Black Cormorant on the right has a fish. The other one wants it!
The Little Black Cormorants move further along the bay. The Great Egret follows.
And an Australasian Darter flies past.
All this time, the Crested Terns are still fishing.
This juvenile Crested Tern has not quite mastered the art of diving for s fish.
At Halliday Park, I spot this White-faced Heron –
I start to walk back the way I had come. The Little Black Cormorants have picked up a friend – a Pied Cormorant.
And the Little Black Cormorants have increased in number.
These two are having a race –
Oh well -no Godwits, so another visit is called for – and the next one will be in low tide.