Cairns mudflats reveal world's most incredible long-distance voyagers — theguardian.com

The mudflats that stretch along the Cairns Esplanade (a posh word for seafront) may not be much to look at, but they are crucial habitats for some of the world’s most incredible global voyagers. When I look through my telescope, tiny dots in the distance resolve themselves into waders – no fewer than 15 different species – frantically feeding on the mud as the sea rolls out. The world’s largest wader – the eastern curlew, with its impossibly long bill – is joined by godwits and sandplovers, Terek and curlew sandpipers, and whimbrel, each using its specially shaped beak to feed in a particular way. Thus while the curlew probes deep into the mud, the Terek sandpiper – with a much shorter, upcurved bill – runs frantically around on custard-yellow legs as if the food will run out at any minute.

Read More