Eastern curlews departed, Double-banded plovers arrived

The changeover between summer and winter migratory birds has occurred. Only 4 eastern curlews plus 3 double-banded plovers were spotted on the Deeban Spit tidal flats at 11.15am on the morning of the 31st March.

Our recorded numbers of curlews averaged 18 this year as opposed to 21 the previous year.

It was only in 2015 that curlews were downgraded to Critically Endangered. This leaves only two more levels. Extinct in the Wild, and Extinct.

It is sad to think that we are now starting to record the decline of our small population of eastern curlews.

Our double-banded plovers saw 3 for the first count, an increase to 5 two days later, and by the 11th of April it was up to 10.

Some good news for 2015 was the return of the bar-tailed godwits as they had been missing for two years.

The 7th April count saw the Pied Oystercatcher pair return and most surprisingly 3 Caspian Terns!

As at 10th April the Oyk pair had been here for four days in a row so hoping this is their return from their summer break. They can settle in over winter, when it is much quieter, and have a stress free feed up and rest before next breeding season.

By 31 May we had 6 eastern curlews, one godwit, 14 double banded plovers plus the two oystercatchers.