The Bay Came Alive as the Shorebirds Returned!

As thousands of migratory shorebirds began returning to Moreton Bay after flying in from their northern breeding grounds in Asia and Alaska, vibrant communitiy groups around the Bay have found their own unique ways to celebrate. The welcome began at Golden Beach on 26 September with live music, clay craft, displays, information and spotting scopes. 

In Cleveland, Toondah – the Art of Conservation brought together works by artists who helped the community protect the wetlands at Toondah Harbour. At Deception Bay, the Redcliffe Environmental Forum led a walk along the foreshore, while on Coochiemudlo Island, local birders took visitors out to explore the wetlands.

At Wings Over the World on Bribie Island (Yarun), families looked through scopes at Kakadu Beach and spotted bar-tailed godwits and far eastern curlews. Osprey House in Griffin held its Migratory Bird Welcome Day, Bribie Island Cinema screened the movie Flyways, and the Aussie Bird Count got people looking for birds in their own neighbourhoods, and helping to making the Bay count through citizen science observations.

On Macleay Island, Welcome Back Waders filled the arts complex with live music, photography, poetry, book readings and artwork by local schoolchildren.

Thanks to everyone who helped welcome the birds back and show why the Bay’s mudflats and quiet resting places matter after such a long flight.

There’s one more chance to join in. Meet the Shorebirds, a free community day at Nudgee Beach Environmental Education Centre includes a talk by the Queensland Wader Study Group, citizen science and shorebird craft. Be sure to bring shoes you can get wet for a walk on the tidal flats. When: Sunday 22 November, from 11 am to 2 pm.