Shorebirds and their habitat

We have been doing other things recently so hadn't done an exercise walk for a while.  We decided that a walk on Bastion Beach was the go, with light weights (bins and camera) as the heavey weights (telescope and tripod) slow me down too much.

The first image follows from comments that the reduced number of Black Swans on the Inlet is due to sand having killed off all the Eel Grass.  Judging by the amount washing up along the Inlet the grass is regrowing.  Can we expect to see a flock of 3,000 Black Swans sometime soon?

 This is very close to where the last opening was formed.  It seems to be a popular habitat for White-fronted Chats

 We only saw 2 on this expedition (after a flock of 31 last visit) but at least I was able to get a snap of this male from about 40m away.

 One of about 30 (can't be fussed referring back to get the exact number) of Red-capped Plovers,

 Not nesting, just hanging out.

 A Double-banded Plover.  Some of them are beginning to show the bands, but not the really colourful ones yet. That happens in July.

 One of a small number of Red-necked Stints.  I had hoped that they, and the Bar-tailed Godwits might be moving onto breeding plumage before heading to Siberia.

 These blobs are Moon Snail egg masses.  There were at least 100 washed up in a small area.

We only recorded 13 species - which surprised me as they seemed quite numerous.