Sooty Oystercatcher © 2010 Andy Jensen
Site information:
The suburbs of Wynnum, Manly and Lota are situated about 16 km east of the centre of Brisbane. The Esplanade provides several easily accessible vantage points to observe feeding waders on the adjoining mudflats. Depending on the height of the tide, 2 to 3 hours before or after high tide is the best time for wader watching.
One of the better areas to see waders is between Oyster Point and the southern end of the mangrove boardwalk at Elenora Park. Species found here are similar to those at Lytton. Additionally, many of the smaller species, including Ruddy Turnstone, Red-necked Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Lesser Sand Plover and Greater Sand Plover, also occur in this area. Striated Heron, in its typical hunched pose stalking prey, is commonly seen. Royal Spoonbill and egrets are quite common on the seagrass beds to the north-east.
A good place to see Great Knot, Red Knot (September – December), Terek Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Lesser Sand Plover and Greater Sand Plover is between the wading pool at Wynnum and the junction of the Esplanade and the Lower Esplanade. Moving south, the exposed rocks extending to Darling Point are the best places to see Sooty Oystercatcher and Eastern Reef Egret, although neither species is common. Fig Tree Point, Lota, at the end of the Esplanade, is another good place to view feeding waders on the huge expanse of mudflats and seagrass beds present here.
How to get there: If travelling south on the Gateway Motorway, turn left into Wynnum Road, about 3 km south of the Gateway Bridge. Just over 1 km east of the motorway, a roundabout is encountered, with Wynnum Road veering to the left and Manly Road continuing straight ahead. Wynnum is reached by following Wynnum Road. Manly and Lota are reached by following Manly Road.
Site coordinates:
Wynnum North: Lat 27°26’3.74″S, Long 153°10’22.99″E
Junction of esplanades: Lat 27°26’32.29″S, Long 153°10’37.14″E
Fig Tree Point, Lota: Lat 27º28’20.09″S, Long 153°11’39.11″E.
Amenities/access: Toilets and picnic facilities are located in several places along the Esplanade. All sites are easily accessible for disabled people.
Wader species: Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Eastern Curlew, Common Greenshank, Terek Sandpiper, Grey-tailed Tattler, Ruddy Turnstone, Great Knot, Red Knot (September to December), Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt, Pacific Golden Plover, Red-capped Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover and Masked Lapwing.
Other species: Royal Spoonbill, Striated Heron and Eastern Reef Egret.
