Currarong

Visited: Autumn

Recommendation: The area around the Beecroft Peninsula is stunning and a popular beauty spot. The combination of coastline and bush makes it a great place to find seabirds like tern and cormorant but also fantail, cuckoo and honeyeater. 

The Beecroft Peninsula is the headland on the north side of Jervis Bay. I travelled there hoping to gain access to the Weapons Range on the western side but it was not open. There is a caravan park within the range (yes, really) and the whole area is open to the public at certain times and during school holidays. This makes it tricky if you are just staying for a few days, particularly mid-week. I was looking forward to getting into this heathland to look for Ground Parrots. They have been spotted there and as a very rare species, I was keen to see them. Maybe next time. 

Instead, I visited the village of Currarong. It is very pleasant and to the east of the township are a series of tracks leading to the headland and down to the shore. Here, I was looking for the Eastern Bristlebird, which is another vulnerable species. Alas, the heath did not give them up and so I keep searching. 

I headed out on to the Abraham Bosom Track and was interested to see the creek running out into the sea was stained a dark brown. It was beautiful but I was concerned that it was poisoned by chemicals. It turns out that the Tea Tree plants in the area have released tannins into the water causing the discolouration. 

As I stood on the bridge over the creek, I heard a goose like honking and was delighted to see a pair of White-bellied Sea Eagle interacting in the sky right above me. I struggled to photograph them as the wheeled around squawking at each other, but it was a fantastic sight.

White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

Back in the township, at the boat ramp I was thrilled to see a group of cormorants sitting on a small rocky area. I was very surprised to see all 4 of the most common species here. I don't think I have ever seen that anywhere in Australia. I tried to take a wide shot and a video to show them all together but the howling winds meant I could barely stay upright!

As well as the cormorants, there were a few terns present. My favourite character was the Caspian Tern. This huge tern holds the title of royalty in the tern world because it's the undisputed heavyweight champion of terns, the biggest one around the globe. It boasts a formidable weapon - a long, sharp, bright red bill, ideal for spearing fish. Unlike many birds restricted to specific regions, the Caspian tern enjoys a cosmopolitan lifestyle. These adaptable birds breed on five continents, at home in both freshwater and saltwater environments. They are a remarkable bird.

Also on the rock were adult Crested Tern and close by on the boat ramp I found a juvenile bird. These are so interesting with fabulous mottled black and white plumage. This poor small bird was desperately trying to stay upright in the face of fierce winds.