We walked so far today in search of new birds I can guarantee that I have absolutely earnt the pizza I'm planning on smashing for dinner tonight! We walked around a little island, up onto a deserted beach (well there were people there but it was a BIG, new to us, beach so essentially it was deserted ok!) and over mud flats. And trust me (and my shoes) quick sand is alive and well!!
But it all paid off when we stumbled across a pair of Eastern Curlews. These migratory birds are Critically Endangered and in their life have travelled a hell of a lot further than I have (clearly they don't fear flying the same way I do). They breed in Russia, North Eastern China and Mongolia and then the majority travel to Australia to spend the Northern Hemisphere winter here.
These guys are super skittish and there have been reports that they can take flight when humans get within 30-100 metres of them so we feel genuinely lucky to have gotten to see them at all.
The photos are blurry but did I mention Critically Endangered and quicksand!?! Sometimes you've got to take what you are given
Eastern Curlew pair
