A boost in the presence of Latham’s Snipe

Pulling on gum boots and trenching through the Narawang Wetland, volunteers joined Sydney Olympic Park Authority staff for an early morning survey of Australia’s largest snipe, Latham’s Snipe.

The habitat of these shy and wary birds is shallow freshwater wetlands with nearby vegetation cover for shelter. The surveying team flushed the waders out from dense vegetation at the Narawang Wetland, identifying at least 7 — a notable number considering only 4 were spotted in the previous year, 2010.

The snipe have been taking advantage of the wet weather and vegetation growth elsewhere in the Park too, with incidental sightings of the bird occurring in many parts of the Park.

Sydney Olympic Park Authority will be conducting another 2 Latham’s Snipe surveys before the migratory birds depart in April for their breeding grounds in Japan and the eastern Russian mainland. To volunteer your time in one of these surveys, please contact: Tina Hsu 02 9714 7411.