Mid-north Coast Birding.
Lake Cathie is situated half-way between Port Macquarie and Laurieton on the coast of New South Wales. There is a lake that empties out into the ocean that is surrounded by coastal heath and swampy ti-tree country.
These Common Terns were fishing in the lake, close to where the entrance went out to the sea. At first I thought they were Little Terns but the black caps were all wrong.
Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspiculatus)
Close-up of Australian Pelican eye. Just because I could and it was so close.
Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspiculatus)
And again, because I was so close, I could get a shot of the tip of its bill, with a very interesting hook on the end of it. I am not sure what the function of the hook is, possibly to hang on to fish with, doh!
Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
There were about nine immature Bar-tailed Godwit on a little lagoon near the beach. They were young ones that had been left behind, too little to fly with the adults to Siberia. Maybe next year.
A couple of Caspian Terns, non-breeding, and a Silver Gull.
Lake Cathie bird list
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
Crested Tern
Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia)
Silver Gull
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Triglossus chlorolepidotus)
Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspiculatus)
Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
Australian Wood-duck
Masked Lapwing
Noisy Miner
Pied Butcherbird
Willy Wagtail
Great Egret
Australian White Ibis
White-faced Heron
Pied Cormorant
Welcome Swallow
Rainbow Lorikeet
Magpie-lark
Pied Oystercatcher
Sooty Oystercatcher
Australian Raven
Australian Magpie