Start The Day On A Chirpy Note

Newcastle Herald

Monday March 3, 2008

Jenny Tarran

THIS Sunday you can start the day with thousands of birds at the Hunter Wetlands Centre at Shortland.

The centre runs regular Breakfast With The Birds events and this Sunday's will be particularly special as there is a new family of endangered freckled ducklings at the centre.

Breakfast with the Birds is a one-hour guided tour of the wetlands, with an optional and separately priced breakfast afterwards at Cafe Nourish.

The tour wanders through the various sections of the centre.

Erica Rowsell from the Wetlands said the one-hour walk was easy and guided by experienced bird watchers.

"At the moment there are ducklings on the pond and there are thousands of egrets and ibis," she said.

"They are all nesting now but in a month or so they will be leaving."

Stout walking shoes are a must for a Breakfast with the Birds tour, as is insect repellent and a hat.

Ms Rowsell said not to worry about grey skies as rain wouldn't put a stop to the tours.

"It still goes ahead in the rain, in fact it is one of the best times to see the wetlands as a lot of the animals come out in the rain," she said.

More than 210 bird species have been seen at the wetlands, including 67 waterbirds, nine migratory waders and 13 species of parrots and cockatoos.

The next Breakfast with the Birds will be held this Sunday from 9am and the cost is $11 for adults and $6 for children.

The tour starts at 8am and bookings can be made on 4951 6466. Breakfast at Cafe Nourish is available after the tour.

For further information about the centre visit the website at wetlands.org.au.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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