Waterbirds to wow on walk

Participants can expect to see thousands of waterbirds when Busselton Naturalists Club holds its annual Festival of Busselton bird walk to the Vasse Estuary tomorrow.

The Vasse and Wonnerup estuaries regularly host about 35,000 waterbirds including swan, duck, egret, heron, sandpipers, avocet, stilt and dotterels as well as migratory waders from the northern hemisphere.

Busselton Naturalists Club president Bernie Masters said the plethora of birds were attracted to the estuary because of high water levels.

The excursion will include a 1km walk along a sand track through the Tuart forest, before walkers reach the eastern edge of the Vasse estuary where the birds will be visible.

It will begin at 8.30am, meeting at the gate into the Tuart Forest National Park, located on Tuart Drive about 300m towards Busselton from the Layman Road roundabout.

The excursion is free and enclosed footwear and long trousers are essential. Mr Masters encouraged participants to bring binoculars to allow better views of the birdlife, but said a few spare sets would be available for sharing on the day.

He said the excursion was well suited to families with children, and participants were likely to see kangaroos, Christmas spiders and a range of other interesting wildlife.

For further details, contact Bernie Masters on 9727 2474 or berniemasters@iinet.net.au.