Sand Dune Lagoon

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migratory bird

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Lake Wollumboola is intermittent.
A coastal dune lagoon, enclosed by berm of sand.
Its basin a drowned creek-scoured depression.
This tiny lake is perched above high tide, vulnerable.
Its survival lies at the whim 
of wind-blown and sea-thrown sand.
It's long term fate short-lived as its filling up 
with sediment, weed, detritus and muck.

This little lagoon among the dunes
is mecca for migratory birds.
The curlew and buff-breasted sandpiper,
The long-toed stint, pied oyster catcher and little tern.
These vulnerable birds depend on the vulnerable lake.
They arrive on-cue from long-hall flights.
Alight and feeds in the shallows.
Mate, breed and lay eggs in vulnerable places
on the open beach and shore.
They squat on eggs and fledge their young,
and when the time comes, migrate back
with young yearling in tow, 
to whence they came.
They book return migratory flights to 
Lake Wollumboola each year, 
hoping it survives vulnerable
for another year,
and hoping its time is not yet up.

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