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Monday - hermit crabs found on night tour
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date: 3/11/2008
Author:Laura Smith
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CONDITIONS
Weather: Overcast & humid morning, clearing to a fine sunny afternoon | Air Temp: 26.3°C | Wind: NW/NE 10/15 knots | Water Temp: 24°C | Water Visibility: ~ 15 m | Sea State: Small chop
ISLAND LIFE
Critter Encounters:
Yesterday evening teemed with life on the Night Stalk tour. Wedgetailed shearwaters (mutton-birds) were the first nocturnal wildlife to make an appearance. Legend has it that in times past, sailors would hear the eerie, often human-like cry of the mutton-bird as they passed by offshore islands, and believe that it was the wailing of ghosts that had perished in shipwrecks. Their call is used to locate their partner, and at nighttime there are pairs dotted all over the island, sitting beside the entrances to their burrows. Past the old graveyard, Night Stalkers discovered some beautiful green tree frogs, and on the beach in front of the lighthouse, land hermit crabs were everywhere! Two hermit crabs were fighting close to the water’s edge, and many others were seen daintily walking along the sand. The second half of the Night Stalk tour was spent turtle trekking halfway around the perimeter of the island. As guests walked, they received an informative talk about the fascinating biology and ecology of Lady Elliot Island’s turtles, and what to do if one was sighted so as to minimize disturbance. No turtles were seen, however, we were thrilled to discover turtle tracks in the sand from one that had already been and gone!
Bird watchers this morning were ecstatic at the discovery of a sooty oystercatcher’s nest, right in the middle of the resort! The nest itself is located just behind one of our reef suites, and houses two speckled eggs. The sooty oystercatcher is one of the most striking birds on the island. Its plumage is jet-black, and it has bright orange legs, beak and eye-rings. It is very exciting to think we may soon have two oystercatcher chicks being raised right amongst the resort! Guests on this morning’s bird watching tour were also fascinated to see a bridled tern defending its territory fiercely – an oystercatcher that strayed too close was swooped repeatedly and aggressively by one bridled tern. Our nesting red-tailed tropicbirds also stirred excitement. One of the chicks appeared to be trying out its wings, and although he doesn’t quite seem comfortable with them just yet, it shouldn’t be too long before the first of this season’s chicks are fledging.
SCUBA divers were bubbling over with a seemingly endless list of exciting critters they spotted; turtles mating, a large school of barracuda, big-eye trevally, flamboyant lionfish, pipefish, Maori wrasse, red bass, Harlequin tuskfish, Chinaman fish, Spanish mackerel – just to name a few! “Spot” the barramundi cod was also seen – Spot is sighted regularly, and has none of the shyness typical of most others of his species, allowing divers to approach closely.
On today’s glass bottom boat/snorkel tour guests were excited to report dolphins sighted about 100 metres from the boat! And, of course, so many turtles!
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Hermit Crab - Laura Smith
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