Trembling red knees at Robe

Just back from a week down south on the coast at lovely Robe. I managed to get some time chasing birds, mostly wading birds, around the Outlet Lakes on the edge of town. It’s a great spot to watch birds and there is a huge variety there, especially at this time of the year when the northern migrant birds are still present. I would go and sit at the same place every morning for an hour or so, on a smoothe rock, right up against a bush on the edge of the water. From here I could watch the comings and goings of the breakfast crew, and after about half an hour the birds would begin to venture closer and closer to me, and finally close enough for some photos. The coast is also quite beautiful with a combination of rocky headlands and wondrous long long sandy beaches.

My favourite of the birds was the diminutive Red-kneed Dotterel. It seems to have a curious habit of tapping one foot on the ground to conjour up some insects or worms from the mud, which it then pounces on with lightning speed. When wading in the water it seems to achieve the same effect by trembling both legs, they are very cute to watch.

Robe is a great place to visit, there is much to see and do around the town, along its beaches and throughout the hinterland, which includes some great wineries in the Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Padthaway and Mt Benson.

Well I hope you enjoyed some my little jaunt down south, and keep an eye out for the trembling red knees.