Little Dotterel's in the Wind - Wild Bird Wednesday

Later afternoon, I visited Cooby Dam in South-East Queensland to see what waterbirds were around. The wind was blowing a gale and the sun wasn't far of setting, so the bird count was a little low.  I did however see these gorgeous Dotterel's, both the Red-Kneed Dotterel and the Black-fronted Dotterel running along the water edge.  For those who aren't familiar with these tiny birds, they are very easy to miss as they are only 16cm in size, and they can look like little moving rocks on the waters edge, and when they are not moving they completely camouflage with their environment!  They are becoming two of my favourite local birds.  While the photos aren't the best ones I have taken of these birds, it certainly portrays their camouflaging capabilities.

It is worth noting that I also saw Whiskered Tern's and Glossy Ibis' at the same location at Loveday Cove.  I will return to try to get photos of them when the wind has gone.

Judi

Can you see me??  Black-fronted Dotterel at Cooby Dam, South-East Queensland 07/01/14

Red-kneed Dotterel at Cooby Dam 07/01/14


See more images of birds all around the world at Wild Bird Wednesday.


Comments

  1. Your Dotterels are so cute! They remind me of our cute plovers. Lovely photos. Enjoy your week ahead!

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    1. Thankyou - yes they probably are similar. There is a tiny plover also in Australia, however I am yet to see one. Thanks for your lovely comment.

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  2. Your photos are making me wish for the return of the shore birds to Canada! Spring seems so far away. t's wonderful to see what you are finding in Australia, though!

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    1. Thankyou. It is surprising how in the one location, we can see many different birds at different visits on the waters edge. I'm hoping our winter doesn't come too soon also! Thanks for your lovely comment.

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    1. Thankyou Carole, yes they are very cute tiny birds. Thanks for your comment.

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  4. HI JUDI I also love these little birds and yes I did see them but I have seen them before when I was visiting my daughter in Innisfail, Queensland.

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    1. Thanks Margaret for your comment, they are lovely aren't they.

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  5. Snap! I've got a Black-fronted Dotterel today too!! I'm lucky my partner's the birdo - I'd miss half of them if I had to find them myself!!

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    1. Fabulous! It is always better to have more than one "lookout" when bird spotting! that is funny that you saw them today also!

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  6. They have the shore all to themselves!

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    1. yes they certainly did on this day. Thanks for your comment Karen.

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    1. they certainly are Andrew. Thanks for your comment.

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  8. Beautiful shot of this lovely bird.

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  9. My goodness, that little Black-fronted was almost invisible! Very nice depiction of their habitat!

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    1. Thanks Kenneth, I did want to portray the habitat of these little birds and although the images of the birds aren't very clear, it does show how easily they can be missed. Thanks for your comments.

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  10. Nice birds - Red-kneed Dotterel are one of my favourite birds - I got very excited the first time I saw one!!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. Me too Stewart, I am only a relatively new birder and only saw these Red-Kneed Dotterels for the first time in Texas Qld at Easter last year, I was excited also to see them for the first time and honestly they could have been missed so easily. They are my new favourites.

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