Winter wanderings in Yandina Creek Wetland

Pied Stilts

A BirdLife Australia Sunshine Coast survey of the Yandina Creek Wetland on August 11 was productive, with decent numbers of waterbirds and bush birds about.

Black Swan young

It was encouraging to see that two pairs of Black Swans had nested successfully, with well-grown young in tow. They had not nested in the wetland since it was drained in 2015 and replenished in 2018. They nested in the same area at the eastern end of the wetland, where they had nested previously.

Royal Spoonbills & Little Egrets

A group of 10-11 Australasian Shovelers was notable. Mixed flocks of Royal Spoonbill, Little Egret and Great Egret were feeding in the shallows. This was a regular feature of the wetland before it was drained and this is the first time since then that those mixed flocks are again active.

Black-necked Stork

A female Black-necked Stork was present. This iconic species has been seen on just about every one of the BLA surveys. Yandina Creek Wetland had been the only reliable site in the Sunshine Coast region where it could be seen, and that is again the case.

Glossy Ibis

Little Grassbird and Tawny Grassbird were in good numbers. The first Caspian Tern for the wetland was recorded. A large number of Pied Stilts and an unusually good number of Glossy Ibis were among other waterbirds. Several Yellow-billed Spoonbill were also of note. The first migratory shorebirds to return were seen in the form of three Latham's Snipe, four Marsh Sandpipers and (seen only by Ken Cross) one Wood Sandpiper. Fantailed Cuckoo and Shining Bronze-Cuckoo were among the bushbirds seen. A total of 61 species were recorded. Ebird list. 

Yellow-billed Spoonbill & Royal Spoonbill

Fantailed Cuckoo

Shining Bronze-Cuckoo