Yellow Wagtail rewards hours seated on Common mud

Finally! Eastern Yellow Wagtail sees things my way and comes close enough for decent image.

But all water is fast vanishing from main pool in front of Payets Tower, Town Common Conservation Park, Townsville. And the wagtail vanished a day or two later.

Couldn't con uncommon Little Curlews into coming near, particularly when a solitary bird drew another three to the site. All four went about same time as wagtail.

Sitting on wet grass early in the morning or the drying mud later in the day brought other rewards however, including wary Australian Pratincole venturing within handy range.

Pied Stilt more interested in food than photographer.

As also Horsfields Bronze-Cuckoo. Three active in the paperbarks near the hide over the past 10 days. Not so often on the ground.

Can usually count on a few Brown-backed Honeyeaters to be drinking at a small deeper pool nearer the hide.

The Black-fronted Dotterels have been the consistent stayers. First to appear as the mud began to appear. Almost certainly they'll be the last to leave.

Little Curlew joins uncommon appearances

Fewer rarities among migratory species touching down around Ingham this season, so surprising to see Little Curlew (Numenius minutus) along Orient Station yesterday.

Attempted to stalk bird from the old Troopy but it slipped under fence and walked off across distant pasture.

Another one-off sighting recently, Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum), another bird to tease from afar and quit the district as suddenly as it appeared.

Not so uncommon, Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva), with vestiges of breeding colouring on show.

Last looks before the Wet

Won't be catching up with this immature White-gaped Honeyeater (Lichenostomus unicolor) at Mungalla Station again soon. The Wet's arrived and it's goodbye to some birding spots for several months.

Mud yesterday, under water today where this Little Curlew (Numenius minutus) stands on a Mungalla track beside Palm Creek.

And Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) - yesterday teasing me at Orient Station - will today not be bothered by photographers.