From hot humid Summer storms we have suddenly entered cool clear Autumn like days and February is only half over. We thought it was time for another Birding Date to check out our migratory waders once again to see how they are doing as they graze the low tide river mud flats for subterranean crustaceans. Two pair of Bar-tailed Godwit were the only ones seen on the beach, due to reduced numbers having returned last Spring. We watched as they plunged their long slightly curved beaks deep into the wet sand. They use the sensors that line their beaks to detect slight pressure variations beneath the sand, which help locate the tiny crabs.

We were surprised to find that one of the Godwits was already half the way into its bright orange breeding plumage, which they develop before they leave for the Artic Circle (Siberia and Alaska) to feed in the rich Arctic Summer waters on shrimp, worms, molluscs and aquatic insects. It is here that they will have their next brood of young, before returning to Australia in our following Spring. The males have more of the changes at first. We noticed one bird with the changes.

Breeding plumage quite visible
Breeding plumage early stages

The females and young showed very little or no signs of change as yet.

Note barring on the tail of the Godwit feature photo at the top of the page, from whence it was named.

The Silver Gulls rest on the sand from an early morning fishing expedition, while just beneath them lies food, which they are only able to access when the crabs are running along the surface. However, the Godwits continue furiously to feed around them driving their beak, jackhammer style into the sand to retrieve is hidden treasures. The Godwits are on a mission of limited time to furiously feed and fatten themselves up for the long 12,000 to 16,000 km flight back to the top of the world, often via the Asian coast.

Silver Gulls resting

One Crested Tern was resting with the gulls. Sea birds and waders seem to get along well with each other and tend to find safety and company, in a similar way to us, in the company of other birds, even birds of different species.

Crested Tern non breeding

One lone Pied Oystercatcher, a locally endangered species, was joining the grazing group, which is unusual to only find one as they pair for life.

Pied Oystercatcher

After a delightful stroll along the Botany Bay waterfront we stopped into the cafe for an ice-cream, as we made our way home. It was a perfect afternoon for a Birding Date.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy your local birds for we sure enjoy ours. We love hearing their morning song and watching them bathe and drink at our birdbaths. If you have not yet installed a bird bath, it can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience watching the birds come into your backyard. Click on the side photo and Check out my website Home Page for info on best setting up a birdbath.

The Bar-tailed Godwit, one of my favorite wader birds, is featured in the 2nd Edition of my book “What Birds Teach Us” which is available here online or in any of these book stores.

This bird teaches us the importance of learning Endurance and Resilience in our personal lives. Growth in character and ability come from pressing on beyond our fear to achievement through applied faith, hope and love. It is not just about us, but about the other people in our life we want to help, support and bless. As I have repeated in previous posts and in my books, Fear Freezes us from moving forward in our life and stops us challenging ourselves beyond our irrational doubts and fears holding us back from achieving our life’s full potential. Our Creator wants us to be enduring people as he is, as this is a feature of his image in which we were created in. For this we need the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit, which only becomes ours through humble submissive faith in Jesus and all he has done for us. To be enduring and resilient we need:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

“I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.” – Ecclesiastes 3:14

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” – Isaiah 40:8

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man [ Jesus God’s Son ] will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” – John 6:27

“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” – Revelation 3:10 Every day we draw closer to that hour.

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Posted on 18 By aussiebirder Australian Birds Posted in Australian Birds
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aussiebirder

My wife and I share a love of bird observing and bird photography which takes us all over Australia. We love sharing our experiences. Birds live in the beautiful parts of our country. We always get blessed with beautiful gifts of new birds and unexpected experiences each time we go out birding or just walking in the parks and reserves in our wonderful land. We love Australia, and the variety that each state and region offers in its wildlife and nature aspects. Join us in sharing our love. We have always found other birders enthusiastic and friendly people who appreciate the good things in life.

18 Comments »

  1. Hello Ash,
    These are wonderful! We are waiting with anticipation for the arrival of the godwits…it always warms my heart to know that some of the birds you see there will the same ones we see here. I am always amazed by how they travel such long distances each season.

    Will be in touch after we return to Japan later this week, and all our best to you and your wife as always.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks Takami, yes they are are certainly birds on the move and will soon be in the air again coming your way. This only adds to the magnificence of our intelligent designer Creator and Sustainer. Hoping and praying you are both well and doing well where you are.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks Donna, yes they do have very impressive breeding plumage, and it appears that many wader species do also. It is amazing considering their size how far they can fly without stopping or eating. Their slightly upturned beak is usually the only feature that helps to distinguish them from the straight beaked Black-tailed Godwit which we never see here, though the beautifully stripped tail of the Bar-tailed gives them away. The Bar-tailed has a very similar tail to our famous Zebra Finch which I have posted a couple of months ago. Have a wonderful week my friend and stay warm.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Hello Ashley. It’s an interesting time for the migratory shore birds isn’t it. The need to bulk up for the log trip ahead. We don’t get them in large numbers on our side of the bay. Might see two or thee pairs perhaps.
    All of our usual Crested terns and Oystercatchers and Pacific gulls are away breeding and our long beach is pretty much clear of all except silver Gulls.
    Don’t often see single Pied Oystercatcher so that is intriguing
    I once saw a quote from an English preacher, Spurgeon and he commented on the birds migrating to the song of the Lord of the Migration. I’m sure there was more to the story, but it intrigued me at the time while pondering how the birds know when to leave.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks David, it is good to see that your comments are coming through again. We were surprised at low numbers of Godwits this year, and wondered if the weather drove them further down the coast as it was fairly bad for them during their arrival. Interesting about C H Spugeon’s mention of a song for migration which the birds respond to, I have never read that, will have to follow it up as I do admire the man and his work and the battles he had with Baptist Union in his day, he truly was the People’s Preacher as he was known. Yes, birds seem to know when the right time is to go. This is intriguing as the birds knowing to fly inland from the sea and rivers to Lake Ayre when it is in flood. Have an enjoyable week my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Hi Ashley. The gist of the quote as I recall was about Swallows leaving to fly south to Spain and beyond. It came up once at a talk on stints and sandpipers on their way though Phillipines I always remember it as it seemed like as good an explanation of the birds being called to leave.

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