found in huge numbers.
Red-necked Avocets
Wetlands surrounding Beach Rd are good for Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Red-kneed Dotterel, Black-tailed Godwit and Latham’s Snipe.
About 1.5km from Alva Beach, on the eastern side of Beach Rd you’ll see a lovely waterhole, covered with water lilies. Site GPS coordinates are 19o28’22’’S and 147o27’58’’E. Green Pygmy-geese and Comb-crested Jacanas are regularly there. You may also get Hardhead, Hoary-headed Grebe, Glossy Ibis, White-browed Crake, Marsh Sandpiper, Red-kneed Dotterel, Latham’s Snipe and Brolga. This is the place where Eastern Yellow Wagtails were recorded in December 2012.
A large wetland is situated along Beach Rd about 4-5km before Alva Beach. Site GPS coordinates are 19o29’10’’S and 147o26’53’’E. After heavy rains, the wetland spills onto both sides of the road and thousands of waterbirds arrive including Pied Stilts, Grey Teals, Australian White Ibises and Royal Spoonbills. Among them there will be Glossy Ibises, Brolgas, White-necked Herons, Black-necked Storks, etc.
Coming back from Alva Beach, we observed a paddock being ploughed. Flocks of Australian Gull-billed Terns, Whiskered Terns and Black Kites were following the tractor. A flock of Brolgas was picking morsels from the freshly turned soil. A pair of White-bellied Sea-Eagles was flying very low over the field, apparently finding some opportunities for themselves, too.
Lilliesmere Lagoon
Lilliesmere Lagoon is a freshwater wetland which is essential for irrigation and also utilised by masses of birds. The site is located on the outskirts of Ayr between Lilliesmere Rd and Beach Rd. The large area of the water surface is covered by pink lilies and water hyacinth. Cumbungi and sedges line the shore.
To get there, from Bruce Hwy (A1) in north Ayr turn east into Burke St. The road will change name to Beach Rd. Take left into Barr St to get to the lagoon. Site coordinates are 19o30’07’’S and 147o23’51’’E.
Key species is Cotton Pygmy-goose; flocks up to 50 birds are seen here regularly year-round. This is also a roosting site for Nankeen Night-Herons, look for them in trees along Barr St and any trees around the lagoon. The site is also a favourite place for Magpie Geese, returning for the night rest after wreaking havoc the whole day on the surrounding cropland. Red-backed Kingfishers can be regularly seen in winter. Other birds of interest include Comb-crested Jacana, Australasian Grebe, Black-necked Stork, Hardhead, White-breasted Woodswallow, Rainbow Bee-eater, Swamp Harrier and White-bellied Sea-Eagle.
Red-backed Kingfisher
Burstall Road Farm Lagoon
To get there, from Beach Rd near Lilliesmere Lagoon turn into Burstall Rd. The lagoon is located on the south side of Burstall Rd before reaching Schrank Rd. GPS coordinates are 19o31’56’’S and 147o26’28’’E.
Plumed Whistling-Ducks gather on the banks of this lagoon in their thousands. Also, a variety of other common waterbirds favour this site including Hoary-headed Grebe, Royal Spoonbill and Hardhead. Common Sandpipers are regular visitors.
Peggy Bog Road
To get there, drive Burstall Rd to a T-junction, then turn left into Peggy Bog Rd. You’ll find a fantastic area of cumbungi and reeds on the right near the end of this road. GPS coordinates are 19o31’01’’S and 147o29’10’’E.
When we visited there, a pair of Brolgas had a half-grown chick in tow. Magpie Geese were also nesting in the swamp. White-browed Crakes were skulking between the clumps of cumbungi. We also sighted Marsh Sandpiper, Latham’s Snipe, Comb-crested Jacana, Plumed Egret, White-necked Heron, Little Grassbird, Australian Reed-Warbler and Golden-headed Cisticola.
Continuing on Peggy Bog Rd through a stock gate, you’ll get to the Ocean Creek boat ramp. In this last section, the road runs through the samphire flats (saltmarshes). Australian Pratincole was recorded there several times. Horsfield’s Bushlark, Brolga and Australian Bustard are also found in this area.
On the mudflats near the boat ramp, look for Far Eastern Curlew, Common Sandpiper, White-winged Black Tern, Australian Gull-billed Tern and Whiskered Tern.
Other birds that can be encountered along Peggy Bog Rd include Pallid Cuckoo, Black-bellied Crimson Finch, Spangled Drongo, Rainbow Bee-eater, Australasian Pipit, Australian Hobby and Nankeen Kestrel.
Duck World Wetland Lagoon
This is a large, shallow wetland, located on a private property north of the Brandon township along Toll Rd, approximately 12 northwest of Ayr. The site is surrounded by sugar cane plantations. During the Wet, thousands of waterbirds and waders congregate here, creating an amazing picture. Especially good times are at the end of the wet season or during severe droughts inland.
To get there, from Bruce Hwy (A1) at Brandon turn north into Spiller St. The road name soon changes to Colevale Rd. Next, turn left into Jack Rd. After approximately 1km veer left into Toll Rd. GPS coordinates at the site gate are 19o30’03’’S and 147o17’50’’E. Scope will be needed to scan the wetlands. The biosecurity rules now require you to call before entering: 0417 191 578. We advise to call beforehand to avoid disappointment.
Over 150 species are on the Duck World Wetland Lagoon’s birdlist. A herd of water buffalos also frequents the wetlands. Key species are White-winged Black Tern, Pink-eared Duck, Black-necked Stork, Brolga, Glossy Ibis and Yellow-billed Spoonbill. Other birds of interest include waders, Magpie Goose, Australasian Grebe, Horsfield’s Bushlark, Brown Songlark, Little Grassbird, Black-bellied Crimson Finch, Rufous-throated Honeyeater and Swamp Harrier. Rarities include Freckled Duck, Pied Heron, Australasian Shoveler, Australian Pratincole, Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Native-hen, Lesser Crested Tern and Great Crested Grebe.
White-winged Black Terns frequently congregate here, particularly in March-April. At the end of autumn (May) the place gets covered with Tree Martins, Fairy Martins and Welcome Swallows thanks to the swarms of midges emerging from the wetland.
The biggest flocks of Australasian Grebes in Australia (up to 11,000 birds) were recorded at this site. Other species observed in huge numbers include Pink-eared Duck, Grey Teal, Magpie Goose, Hardhead, Whiskered Tern (forming white swarms over the water), Red-necked Avocet and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. Rock Doves come in droves from the surrounding farms for a drink of water.
This massive pantry is a magnet for raptors, fourteen species have been recorded. Among them are Spotted Harrier, Swamp Harrier, Peregrine Falcon (resident), Brown Falcon, White-bellied Sea-Eagle and Wedge-tailed Eagle.
Twenty wader species can be found here including Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Latham’s Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit and Red-kneed Dotterel. White-browed Crakes and Buff-banded Rails can be found at the edges of the wetland.
Grassland birds include Brown Quail, Australasian Pipit, Brown Songlark, Little Grassbird, Tawny Grassbird, Zebra Finch and Black-bellied Crimson Finch. Bush bird selection includes Rufous Songlark, Black-faced Woodswallow, Great Bowerbird and Brown-backed
