This Field Trip, although
apparently not very productive in the usual sense of making long flora and
fauna lists, illustrated two things in a classic way.
Firstly, no matter how hard you plan, something
might always happen-- Will and Cecile had made time for a thorough reconnoitre
well in advance and made a big effort to come to the outing, the very day after
their return from a trip to Far North Queensland. Tide times were just right
for close encounters with shorebirds, Bird ID booklets were distributed, and it
wasn’t raining or blowing a gale.
 |
| Sheltershed gathering |
What happened was a perfect,
but thoroughly unwanted illustration of the disruptive effects of human behaviour on Shorebirds roosts.
When Will and Cecile arrived before 8am, the shore birds were gathering on the sand, and would soon have to move closer to the area where we planned to set up our spotting scopes. A fisherman decided to walk through the mangroves towards the birds, almost beside the sign, which explained that this was a migratory shorebird roost, and asking people not to enter the area. A family with young children and a dog were playing energetically right beside the other sign, both of which put the birds to flight, but they returned, only to be strafed several times by a Whistling Kite.
Eventually, after taking flight and circling several times, the large flock left and did not return. Maaroom is a counting site for the QLD Wader Study group, and they frequently encounter people who have no understanding of the importance not disturbing these migratory species, which need to feed and rest after epic migrations from the Northern Hemisphere. |
| Whistling kite |
Will and Cecile were very
disappointed that the big flock had gone, but our members, using the spotting
scopes, were able to see and identify several Shorebirds.
 |
| Black-winged stilt |
Nonie’s artists eye was
delighted by the amazing stilt-like legs of the (-wait for it-!) Black-winged
Stilts.
These black and white birds are
thin and elegant, and could be distinguished from the much more solid black and
white Pied Oystercatchers.
 |
| Pied Oystercatchers |
Everyone
was pleased to see the Critically Endangered Eastern Curlew, whose down-curved
bill is almost as long as its body. Unusually, a little Black-fronted Dotterel
was remaining quite still in the vegetation.  |
| Eastern Curlew |
Another
bird of interest was a lone Red Knot, which should have carried on its
migration to the southern states. By the time the Red Knot reach us, they have
lost most of their breeding colours and it took Will’s expert eyes to point out
the Red knots from the Great Knots.  |
| Red Knot |
We
adjourned to the picnic shed for morning tea, and Will and Cecile talked to us
about the Shorebirds. Cecile kindly distributed booklets. The
group then headed back to Poona, where despite the heat, we set off to explore
the Poona Walking Trails. We noticed a severe infestation of Asparagus Fern,
evidence of why we should not have this in a hanging basket, (as I did, before
I joined the Nats!) but there were enough plants to keep us interested.  |
| Muttonwood (Myrsine variabilis) |
A
Muttonwood (Myrsine variabilis) required some page-turning to ID the
clusters of purple fruit on the stems. Very
tall Forest Hop Bush (Dodonaea triquetra) had papery purple winged
fruit. 
|
| Managrove Lollybush (Clerodendrum inerme) |
A Mangrove Lollybush (Clerodendrum inerme) had a few remaining fragrant
white tubular flowers. Otherplants:
Melaleuca quinquinerva and dealbata, Cabbage Tree Palms, Coastal Cypress Pine, (Callitris
columellaris), Grassy Boat-lip Orchid, Cymbidium suave. |
| Red-fruited palm lily (Cordyline rubra) |
 |
Giant Water Vine (Cissus hypoglauca)
|
The giant water vine was in bud. Large, edible purple-blue bunches of fruit will appear much later. |
| Leaden flycatcher (Female) |
A female Leaden Flycatcher put in a later appearance. |
| Retreat to the shade |
Overwhelmed
by the midday heat and humidity, and melting in our insect-proof long clothing,
we scurried off to the very welcome shade of the large shelter shed by the boat
ramp. True to form,
Ima, Cecilia and family leapt into their swimming gear and plunged into the
water.
 |
The very sensible members of our group
|
The sea breeze
allowed us to enjoy lunch, which was followed by our last meeting for 2020.
TEXT: Rahima Farnham
Photos: Cecile Espigole, Annette Bourke, Archive.
