Victor Harbor's Caravan Park Critters

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There is a cordoned-off area and a sign warning beachgoers to avoid this area where a pair of threatened Hooded Dotterels are nesting. The little birds nest between high tide and the dunes in a shallow sand scrape. I keep well back from the marked zone and take a couple of pictures trying to capture an image of both birds together.





I am investigating the area between the Victor Harbor Caravan Park and the ocean. It is a diverse little ecosystem with a brackish pond, river outlet and small coastal dunes. A wide variety of coastal plants surround the pond including; coastal wattle species, Cushion Fanflower Bush and Knobby Clubrush (a wiry grass).





Walking quietly through the grass and bushes, I approach the pond from the beachside and sit near a large coastal wattle bush. I have an excellent view of both the water and the scrub and it is now time to employ a wildlife photographer's most important skill…..patience. My approach is soon rewarded in the most unexpected way as a Shingleback Lizard appears just to my right.



After a few minutes, a pair of Masked Lapwings emerge from the tall grass near the dried-up edge of the pond. And I notice some smaller birds near them. Using the extreme telephoto on the P900 I realise they are not a separate species but the young lapwing chicks. Something I have never seen before and certainly worth a shot or ten.





As I slowly change position to improve my view of the pond closer to the bike track that runs along this section of coast, I hear the tittering call of Superb Fairy Wrens (often called Blue Wrens) and I spot a colourful male amongst a tangle of branches and leaves.



Time to leave as the mosquito population has zeroed in on my position. Abandoning stealth, I walk back towards the rear entrance to the caravan park. Just as I reach the far end of the pond a pair of Chestnut Teal decides to land and perch on a sun-bleached branch protruding from the water. A wonderful final shot for the day showing sexual dimorphism (noticeable differences between males and females) in birds.



Additional notes
This is an easy walk/drive which is quite suitable for families and seniors with public toilets, barbecues, parking and other facilities nearby. It is dog friendly.

#animals_wildlife
#beaches
#caravan_parks
#fleurieu_peninsula
#victor_harbor
#walks
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