Point Douro

Visited: spring

Recommendation: This whole area is worth exploring. While water birds might dominate the sightings, there are also a lot of bush birds that might be found.

I headed towards Bunbury for one single reason - Fairy Tern at Point Douro. I knew they were regularly seen there along with a plethora of waders. With a caravan park right across the road, I was in. Unfortunately, my long term companion - Google Maps - was not so keen. First it took me to the promenade park across the water and then helpfully suggested I could walk across the water to the point. Try again. Next it sent me to a pull in which looked like I could park my van there. Locked gates with trespassing signs. The very helpful caravan park owner gave me the lowdown. The land partly belongs to Parks & Wildlife and unknown private owners. There was a track along the south side which everyone uses without issue. 

As I made my way across the bridge, I found a stunning Nankeen Night Heron sitting first on the fishing area and then it flew into the trees. I love these attractive birds and this one was a fine specimen, complete with breeding plumes. 

Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus)

So, off I went to the marshes and it was a good track along the river to the point. My first encounter was with an Eastern Osprey on guard duty next to a manmade nesting pole. It kept a close eye on me as I walked past. I love how these birds will look you straight in the eye. I always think if they could talk they would be saying 'Yeah? What do you want?'. 

Eastern Osprey (Pandion haliaetus

There was marshy area to the north of the track but no signs of life which surprised me. Nothing along the river shoreline either. I began to think I might not find the waders. Further along, across the water were 3 species of cormorant, some Caspian Tern and gulls. 

As I got to the end of the point the waterway opened up in front of me and despite the changeable weather, it was spectacular. I also began to hear the peep peep of waders. Round the corner was a large area of beach full of mud, which of course, waders love to feed in. I could see a hundred or so small shapes pecking away at the ground in the distance and some larger birds to the eastern side. I headed that way along the edge as mud and sand can be unpredictable. I have been walking on sand in Queensland one minute and up to my waist in mud the next. Never a good experience when you are desperately trying to recall tips from Bear Grylls! 

As the waders came into sight, I picked out Grey and Pacific Golden Plover, a Far Eastern Curlew and Red-necked Stint. Magic. 

Australian Fairy Tern (Sternula nereis

I cautiously crept along the muddy beach towards the mass of birds I could see further away. I don't know how it happened but while I was scanning the distance, the Red-necked Stints were suddenly very close. They were furiously digging in the mud and moving en masse in my direction. All I could do was stand still. If they were that hungry, I didn't want to disturb them. So I stayed still and took photographs as they moved around me. It was a wonderful experience but I didn't know how I was going to get off the beach without upsetting them. The problem was solved by the osprey who goosed all of us and the stints took off. 

On the way back (evils given by the nesting osprey again) I was, as usual, scanning the trees for any kind of movement when I saw a shape emerging from a hole in a dead tree. I was delighted to see a pair of Elegant Parrots and I spent some time photograph them as they embraced and courted. Double magic!

On my second and third visits to the point I found more bush birds the best of which was a Singing Honeyeater hunting for nectar.

It was a lovely place to visit and just sit, watching the wildlife. You had to feel sorry for the fish though - they were being hunted by dolphins, cormorants, terns and the very hungry osprey!