you can birdwatch

Over 200 species of birds live in or visit the Hunter River estuary, about half of these species are waterbirds of which 34  are migratory shorebirds. On Ash Island, the most accessible part of the Hunter estuary, 185 bird species have been sighted since 1980. During times of drought waterbirds tend to cluster around a few wet areas, whereas they spread out when there is plenty of water. Smaller birds can be heard, if not always seen in the mangroves and rainforest areas. 

When coming to Kooragang Wetlands Ash Island to birdwatch, call in at the Information Centre to hear of any recent unusual sightings and/or to report your own findings. 

The Hunter Bird Observers Club has produced a birding route guide for Ash Island.  This tells you the best places to go if avian adventure is your aim. 

Stockton Sandspit just off Stockton bridge is a great place to see masses of shorebirds which gather to roost (rest) while the tide is too high for them to forage for food on the mudflats.  Most of migratory shorebird species are in the estuary between September and March each year, although some individuals may `overwinter' here before returning to the northern hemisphere the following year to breed. 

When is the best time to see shorebirds at Stockton Sandspit?  It was generally thought that two hours either side of the high tide was the time that most birds gather at the sandspit.  But keen Hunter Bird Observer Club member Tom Clarke suggests it's always a good time for avian observations at the sandspit. (Click here for a detailed account of Tom's recommendations based on weekly observations over many years.)

The birdhide at Stockton Sandspit is available for birdwatching.  The key is available from the Fern Bay Store which is one kilometre north of the Sandspit along Nelson Bay Road.  The store is open from 7am to 7pm each day.  

Stockton Sandspit	Avocets, sandpipers and curlew gather at Stockton Sandspit at high tide. Photo: Chris Herbert	Red- necked avocet. Photo: Chris Herbert