Since they first arrived about two weeks ago, migratory Latham's Snipe are popping up in numbers on wetlands near the coast east of Ingham.
Got a bit closer to some of 24 on roadside pool at the Orient Station today, so intent on feeding they didn't flinch as I walked up openly toward them.
Unfortunately fence marking boundary between public road and private land prevented me taking full advantage of birds' interest in feeding above all else.
Later, got bit offside with presumed property owner when chasing Red-backed Kingfisher in tree on unfenced portion of grazing land.
He invited me to leave. I did, with my best pictures of a species uncommon to the area.
No need quit the road for head shot of immature Black-necked Stork (Jabiru).
Nor for Yellow-billed Spoonbill, tucking in near the snipe.
Afterword: Trespassing birdwatchers risk upsetting helpful property owners. Orient Station, however, has long tried to deter all birders from using the 7km public road through the property with ambiguous Private Property signs beside the road. Over the years I've helped farm managers with info about sick stock, dog and croc sightings and rubbish pickup. I figure we're more or less square.
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