Fred and Fiona's First Sighting

Hays Inlet Awareness Week is drawing closer and Fred and Fiona have made their first appearance on the peninsula.

Local birdwatchers have been eagerly awaiting the arival of the stilts this year on their migratory path and were pleased when Fred and Fiona were finally seen arriving yesterday. Local birdwatchers were worried that Fred might have sustained some damage since he was last here as he favoured his right leg during the short time the pair were seen after their arduous flight from Strathpine. Locals were also concerned about whether pelicans now being forced to find new roosting sites off the Houghton Highway might make it difficult for Fred and Fiona to find roosting sites in the Hays Inlet area. It would be a shame to lose this magnificent pair and it is hoped a solution to the pelican problem can be found by next year. REF members have indicated to authorities that they favour alternative roosting sites for the pelicans being constructed out over the water from the existing light posts on the Highway.

Residents should keep a lookout for Fred and Fiona as their stay will be brief and these birds are wary of human contact. The evening of June 2 is recommended as a good time to see the pair again as the moon and tides will be right and should draw them from their roosting place in Hays Inlet around dusk or just after to partake of the free food on offer at Langdon Park that evening between 5 and 7pm.

Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Birdwatchers warn this could be the only occasion to see Fred and Fiona in the Margate area for FREE as the birds are known to consume vast amounts of food before returning to mangrove areas for up to a week to allow for digestion. If this happens the next opportunity to see the rare stilts will be on Saturday June 10 when the Hays Inlet Awareness Committee is holding a 'Birds of a Feather Get Together ' hoping that people attending this function will dress in black and white with red socks or stockings to try to temp the birds to the Humpybong Yacht Club at around 7.30pm for a final feed before their long flight back to Strathpine. This is a ticketed event and tickets can be obtained fron GoVita Health Foods at the Margate Shopping Centre for $10. As an additional attraction to this event, prizes will be given out for the native garden and photo competitions and people will be able to buy tickets in the Polyworld tank raffle.

CU.