Toorbul High Tide Roost

Located on the western side of Pumicestone Passage with Bribie Island to the east, the four roost sites along the Esplanade at Toorbul support large numbers of waders that feed on the huge expanse of intertidal mudflats in the passage.  These roost sites are all close enough to the road to provide good views with binoculars. It is advisable to visit these sites on a high tide of 2 m or less, as higher tides force the waders onto less accessible roost sites elsewhere in the passage.  The Esplanade is an excellent place to view waders feeding on incoming and outgoing tides.  A highlight of this stretch of the coastline is Red Knot, commonly seen between September and November, when large numbers are passing through on migration to New Zealand and more southerly parts of Australia.  Less regularly observed species such as Broad-billed Sandpiper, Double-banded Plover, Grey Plover and Asian Dowitcher, have been recorded here.

The first roost site, commonly known as Pelican Point, is 1.1 km south of the Toorbul general store.  Display boards erected by the Caboolture Branch of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland illustrate some of the different species that are regularly seen at this site, such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Common Greenshank and Great Knot.  Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is sometimes seen in the adjoining samphire.