Evolving Land and Sky

The rich tapestry of birdlife includes the Eastern Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel. These migratory shorebirds make annual return journeys spanning 25,000 to 30,000 kilometres to their Arctic breeding grounds. The Double-banded Plover, a winter visitor from New Zealand also finds seasonal refuge here.

The Spit’s unique surrounding habitats provide a critical ecological link to safeguarding the life cycles of migratory shorebirds. Each spring birds such as the critically endangered Eastern Curlew arrive to rest and feed, using the sandbanks to build essential energy reserves for their autumn migration.

The nutrient rich tidal banks also attract Australian shorebirds such as the Crested Tern, Pied Oystercatcher, Black-winged Stilt and Beach Stone Curlew.

Shorebirds are timid and prefer undisturbed open areas for foraging and roosting where they can spot approaching threats. With habitats threatened by humans and environmental shifts, protecting this ecosystem from pollution and not disturbing resting shorebirds will increase chances of survival for these remarkable birds.