I turns out that all the time I had been watching the wombat, a family of Hooded Plovers had been watching me. These are normally very shy birds that shoot along the beach as soon as you arrive, but these seemed a little more content to stay put. Another alternative idea is that the other five or six people who were watching the wombat had confused the birds, and they had nowhere else to go.
When the wombat left the beach the people left as well, leaving me with the Hooded Plovers. Knowing that they are a flighty bird I just sat still and hoped they would move towards me - well that did not happen, so I have had to crop these images a little more than I would like.
The Hooded Plover (Thinornis rubricollis) normally lives on sandy ocean beaches on the West and East corners of Australia - and that is why this bird is struggling and is considered 'vulnerable' in Victoria. Ocean beaches are a favourite location for holiday makers (like me) and the disturbance often means that the birds fail to breed. However, a number of the breeding beaches now have protected zones, and this summer was one of the better breeding years of late.
Given the bright sunshine, the very pale sand and the distance the birds were away, I'm happy with the images.
On a different note - a number of people have asked why Squeaky Beach squeaks - as far as I am able to tell it squeaks because all the grains of sand are very similar in size, so when you scuff your feet in the sand they all roll over each other and that makes the squeak.
Now its over to you - and in case you are new here, all you have to do is click the "InLinkz" button and do a little bit of cutting and pasting of your blog posts URL and you are a member of the fine group of WBWers. SM
Squeaky Beach sounds well kind of squeaky...that would be fun to walk on and hear. The Hooded Plover is a lovely coloured bird and seems to not be paying you much care, so you got some really nice images to share. Happy week~
ReplyDeletethanks for the 'squeak' explanation. :) and cute plovers, too!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it is posing for you Stewart. Maybe it knew it was wise to stick around. :)
ReplyDeleteA handsome bird with it's colorful eye.
Wish I could take a walk on Squeaky Beach. :)
A squeaky beach is a new one for me! You did very well getting those nice images of the reclusive plover.
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos today of another new plover to me. I'm glad they are protecting these birds and their nesting sites. It's the same here with our Piping Plovers. That's a beautiful plover you have featured.
ReplyDeleteInteresting about the sand size/squeaking.
ReplyDeleteThe white sand makes a perfect background for the plovers!
ReplyDeleteHmmm ... does it squeak like the blackboard sqeaks when you run your nails over it ... I am getting goose bumps just thinking about it. Other than the opportunity to see a Wombat or and adorable Hooded Plover, I think I would pass on the squeaky beach. I assume all of Australia's beaches don't squeak ... so why thisn one. How did it end up being so different. Very interesting. Let me know if you ever find out :) Great post, as always, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
A squeaky beach is indeed unique. My favorite is nice firm sand for walking.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of a squeaky beach before, what fun! Also fun the idea of being able to observe a wombat in the wild, and take photos of these lovely birds.
ReplyDeleteSweet bird and I think I know exactly what you mean about the noice in the sand! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a good week! /Pia
HI Stewart wonderful shots of the Hooded Plover and your explanation for the 'Squeaky' beach. thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful bird, the sand is such a great colour. Your shots turned out really well.
ReplyDeletelovely to see Stewart
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of an attractive looking bird!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting species, beaches and breeding birds are a difficult combination, hopeful they will find some permanent nesting places.
ReplyDeleteStewart, you Hooded PLovers are adorable.. I love all the Plovers! Squeaky sand is new to me, I do know it is wonderful to walk barefoot in the sand.. Thanks for hosting, Your photos are beautiful. I even love the Wombat..Have a happy week!
ReplyDeletesweet lookin' bird
ReplyDeleteSuper views of the Hooded Plovers.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few 'Squeaky' beaches in the UK. I saw a TV programme recently which explained this phenomena just as you stated.
I've never heard of a squeaky beach before, so thanks for your explanation. The hooded plover is beautiful. I had my first ruby-throated hummingbird of the spring today, sharing the sugar water feeder with a male orchard oriole.
ReplyDeleteThat is a pretty bird. I've never been on a squeaky beach!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty Plovers! And now I know why the beach squeaks!
ReplyDeleteLove the black head and red eye! Handsome plover!
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart, love those Plovers - they have such lovely eyes! Good photos too :D)
ReplyDeleteNice pics of the plover. And thanks for the Squeaky Beach explanation!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning...
ReplyDeleteVery cute plover. I'm glad to know there are protected areas for them. Nice one, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful bird and thank you for your patience. MB
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of walking on a beach that squeaks, and I really do like those Hooded Plover. From Findlay
ReplyDeleteBeautiful little bird
ReplyDeleteGrat shots in the sand
Bonjour Stewart
ReplyDeletetrès sympa le déjeuner sur la plage avec ce petit Pluvier ! J'aimerai aussi vivre ça :)
How serendipitous that the wombat would lead you to the photographic opportunity with the Hooded Plovers :)
ReplyDeleteA very colorful little plover. Thanks for sharing the information about it. We have squeaky sand on several creeks in East Texas and Louisiana. in the US.
ReplyDeleteA very colorful little plover. Thanks for sharing the information about it. We have squeaky sand on several creeks in East Texas and Louisiana. in the US.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be nice if birds would come out of hiding so we could get better pictures? ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely picture of the plover.
Cindy
The Hooded Plover is such a gorgeous bird. I think your shots are splendid!
ReplyDeleteLove the shots of the plover. The squeaky sand looks almost like snow. Can't blame the plover couples not wanting voyeurs watching their mating. Thanks for hosting this meme.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Janice
It's a lovely little bird! And I loved the wombat when I linked over to that post as well. It isn't often one sees a mammal on a beach unless its wearing a bikini. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe beach "sounds" like a fun place to visit and funny to think of the plovers watching you watch the wombat. I would definitely have wanted to stay for the birds.
ReplyDeleteThis little one is so cute ! Marvelous photos. Best regards, Synnöve
ReplyDeleteLike your hooded plover. Our Spur-wings sound to be nesting in the paddock.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting about the "squeaky" beach. The Hooded Plover is a pretty bird, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDelightful plover photos, Stewart, and I like the notin of a squeaky beach. Here in Massachusetts, the Piping Plover is so at risk that the beaches where they nest are rioutinely closed to humans for the duration of breeding season.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird! Fantastic photos!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Poland