Grey-tailed Tattlers © 2010 David Edwards
Site information:
A high tide roost site is situated between the mouth of the Caboolture River and Burpengary Creek. The roost site is an open mudflat with Burpengary Creek and mangroves to the south, a narrow strip of mangroves, a boat ramp and Caboolture River to the north-east and coastal scrub dominated by she-oak (Allocasuarina sp.) to the west. This site is regularly used by Double-banded Plover in autumn and winter. Make sure not to overlook other small species that crouch down in the tyre marks left in the mud, such as the rare Broad-billed Sandpiper. Pacific Golden Plover occasionally roost in the surrounding samphire and salt couch, but they are very difficult to see. Grey-tailed Tattler roost in the mangroves along Burpengary Creek and Common Sandpiper, an uncommon species in south-east Queensland, can be looked for along the creek bank.
It is advisable to visit the Caboolture River mouth during the week because this site is prone to disturbance on the weekend. It should also be noted that tides greater than 2.3 m in height force the birds onto a very large clay-pan extending from the south of Little Burpengary Creek to Bermuda Avenue, Deception Bay.
How to get there: From Brisbane, drive north along the Bruce Highway for about 38 km. Take the first Morayfield exit and drive east over the highway to Uhlmann Road. Continue along Uhlmann Road for 4.7 km and then turn left just before the Caboolture sewage treatment plant. The road is gravel from this point to the boat ramp. The roost site is on the right hand side of the road directly in front of a small shipwright’s yard.
Ammenities/access: There are no toilets at this site and the nearest are in Burpengary. This site is easily accessible for disabled people.
Site coordinates: Lat 27º 09’ 04” S, Long 153º 01’ 47” E.
Wader species: Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Eastern Curlew, Terek Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Great Knot, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Pied Oystercatcher, Black-winged Stilt, Pacific Golden Plover, Red-capped Plover, Double-banded Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Black-fronted Dotterel and Masked Lapwing.
Other species: Caspian Tern and Gull-billed Tern
