The first Latham’s Snipes heading to Byron Bay this spring have arrived and at an unexpected venue! Byron Bay TAFE has a small man made pond near their car-park, approximately 50 metres long and 20 metres wide. The pond has been planted with reeds and sedges with native shrubs along the edges. On Monday three Latham’s Snipes were seen and reported, the first in the Northern Rivers Region. On Friday there were five birds present. The TAFE is next door to the Byron Bay Wetlands - but no Snipes have been seen at the wetlands so far.
Latham’s Snipes arrive here in early spring after their long journey from Japan and northern Asia where they spend the northern summer feeding and breeding. This year their arrival is a few days later than average. The Byron Bird Buddies will be starting the annual “Snipe” count soon to monitor numbers of arrivals of these endangered birds.
A Latham’s Snipe circles the Byron Bay TAFE pond after being flushed from the grasses along the fenceline.
Two Purple Swamphens in the Byron bay TAFE pond.
Other birds using the pond include Egrets, Welcome Swallows, Ducks and the Royal Spoonbill and White Ibis seen here.