The tide times and weather were just right for a visit to Reef Island today. Reef Island is a small rocky island in Coronet Bay (near Philip Island) which can be reached by walking out over a rocky natural causeway at low tide. The closest access point is from the car park at the end of Bluff Road, Bass. The island is cut off from the mainland at high tide so we checked the tide times before visiting to make sure we arrived before low tide to give us maximum time on the island. We had been warned not to attempt crossing by wading over on the rising tide as several drownings have occurred this way. We arrived by 10am and although low tide was at 11.55 am the causeway to the island was already completely exposed so we headed straight out.

The access to the island is located about 100 meters along the beach south of the car park. One of the first birds we noticed on the beach was a Kelp Gull. Also along the beach and and in the water were Black Swan, Great Egret, Royal Spoonbill and Eastern Curlew. We crossed the causeway and headed for the emerging mudflats on the southern side of the island, in the distance we could see hundreds of waders out on the mud. They were too distant to see with our binoculars and we were disappointed that we had decided not to bring the scope. After edging closer we managed to distinguish, Grey-tailed Tattlers, Ruddy Turnstones, Red-necked Stints and a flying view of a Greenshank as it flew out to a rocky islet.

We decided to head inland along the sandbar and mangroves in the higher central part of the island, this gave us a view of both sides of the island and we could see that most of the waders were located on the southern side. Further out we were able to skirt the mangroves and get closer to the waders. Here we saw at least five Pacific Golden Plover, a few Grey-tailed Tattlers, Ruddy Turnstone, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper and Red-necked Stint. There were various terns and cormorants further out on a small islet but they were a bit far away to distinguish. Also out on the mudflats were Great Egret, White-faced Heron, many ducks, Ibis and hundreds of swans feeding out in the bay.

We decided to head back for lunch about 12.45 but could have stayed a lot longer as there was no sign of the tide coming in. Next time we visit we will bring the scope to allow better views of the distant birds.

Reef Island Bird List