By the bay

Mangrove swamps provide vital habitat for bird and fish species along the east Australian coastline. They are located on mudflats in coastal estuaries subject to frequent tidal inundation. Mangroves provide protection to coastal areas from storm surge swells . They also provide an essential breeding and feeding ground for many species of fish and birds.

Sand or mud flats, like those located at Towra Point Nature Reserve are vital habitats for breeding bird colonies. They are a tidal area that provides a habitat for many birds, fish and shellfish species. They provide a 'buffer zone' between coastal environments and deeper waters, protecting those areas from storm surge and erosion. Towra Point is a major breeding, feeding and roosting site for threatened bird species. 34 migratory bird species have been recorded using the Reserve. The area is listed as a RAMSAR site

Rocky platforms in coastal areas provide inter tidal habitat for a range of bird, fish, shellfish and aquatic plant species. This means that they are underwater or exposed at different times, depending on the tide.

Mangrove trees are found along most of the Australian mainland coastline, however are not found in Tasmania. They are more often found in tropical or sub tropical areas. Mangroves grow in mud flats in the tidal areas of estuaries and rivers. They provide important habitats for many animal and bird species. Mangroves are often partially underwater at high tide and exposed during low tide. They have special adaptions that allow them to cope with salt rich environments.

Dusky flathead are commonly found along the eastern coast of Australia. They are found in estuaries and shallow coastal waters, and occasionally in brackish waterways like rivers. They have a long, flat body covered with brown and cream spots, allowing them to camouflage effectively on the sandy bottom. Flathead are carnivores, feeding primarily on smaller fish and crustaceans.

Snapper are found in waters along the entire east coast of Australia. They have bright blue spots on their body that become less distinct with age, and a background colour of pinkish silver to red. Large fish may have a large bony hump on the head and a fleshy bulge on the snout. They feed on crustaceans, molluscs, fish, worms, urchins, as well as jellyfish and algae.

Leatherjacket are an unusual fish with many characteristics that set them apart from other fish species. They have a serrated spine located near the back of their head that folds flat into a groove along their back. They also have a small mouth with sharp, beak like teeth and rough skin the texture of sandpaper. Leatherjacket are omnivores, feeding on a range of things including algae, molluscs, crustaceans, smaller fish and worms.

Whiting are found in bays and estuaries along the New South Wales and Queensland coastlines. They are found in schools over the sandy bottoms of open bays or estuaries (travelling as far up river as the tidal limit) and near ocean beaches at a depth of up to 30cm. Whiting are carnivores, preying on small crustaceans, worms and molluscs. They use their long snout to forage through sand or mud looking for prey animals. They grow to approximately 47 cm in length.

Yellowfin Bream are found along the eastern Australian coastline. They inhabit estuaries, inshore coastal and mangrove habitats. They have a silvery to olive green body with yellowish pectoral fins. They are carnivores, feeding on small fish, molluscs, worms and crustaceans. They lay eggs, which hatch within a few days.

Luderick have a silvery white body banded with 11-12 black tapered stripes. They are found along the eastern and southern coast of Australia in shallow coastal waters. They are often found in schools (groups). Luderick frequently shelter in sea grass beds and along rocky outcrops. They are omnivores, eating mainly sea rass and algae, but will also eat worms, molluscs and small shellfish. Image by Richard Ling from NSW, Australia - Luderick, CC BY-SA 2.0, htts://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3155016

The Great Cormorant has the unique ability to dive underwater, which it does to catch fish- it’s main source of food. They can stay underwater for about 1 minute. To do this, they have to be heavier than water so they allow their feathers to become saturated. However, they have to dry out to fly again. This is why cormorants are often spotted perched with their wings spread out. This tells us they have been feeding. They are sometimes called shags, hence the saying, “you’re hanging around like a shag on a rock”.

Although the White Breasted Sea Eagle lives mainly along the coast, they can hunt inland as well, meaning their diet can include fish, other birds and small land animals. Their wings may be up to 2 metres wide when fully stretched out. They build their nests at the top of tall trees.

The Little Pied Cormorant is black on its back and white on its belly, making it hard for other animals to spot him no matter which way they look. (‘Pied’ usually means two different colours). They are the most common Australian waterbird, and like the Great Cormorant, swim underwater to catch fish and find molluscs, using their rather large feet to push themselves around as they swim.

The Purple Swamp Hen is very colourful with its large orange feet, red crest and purple front, but its most unusual feature is the way their tail flicks up with each step, revealing the white plumage underneath. They enjoy spending time along the edge of the water and feeding among the reeds, swamps, streams and marshes. There they eat small animals such as frogs and snails, but will also steal other birds’ eggs and even eat ducklings.References: Lindsey, T.R. 1986. The Seabirds of Australia. Angus and Robertson

Hardhead Ducks rarely come onto the land. They spend most of their time on the water in large, deep, freshwater lakes. They feed on the aquatic plants and animals that can be found deep underwater as well as on the surface. They nest in the reeds and vegetation on the water’s edge. They are common in the inland areas of Australia, and can travel great distances during droughts to find new lakes and waterways to live in; sometimes going as far as New Zealand or New Guinea. Funny thing is, the male has a white eye but the female brown eyes. This is why they are sometimes called the ‘white- eyed’ duck. Their bill also has a coloured tip.

Crested Terns can be found all over the Australian coastline. They like being on the shores of beaches and coastal lakes. Small fish are its favourite food. It likes them so much it will spot them by flying 15-20m above the water, then plunge into the water at speed to grab the fish just below the surface. They are very common and make their nests on small offshore islands.

Little penguins are the smallest penguin species in the world. They prefer rocks and sand rather than snow and ice. They are a sea bird and are found in the southern coastal waters of Australia, including Tasmania. They like to eat fish, squid, krill and small crustaceans. Unfortunately due to habitat loss and predation by animals such as foxes, dogs and cats, some Little Penguin colonies are endangered. They can spend weeks away at sea, dozing and eating among the waves.