Haematopus fuliginosus
This stocky all-black bird with a long bright scarlet beak and orange eye ring prefers rocky shorelines, pebbly beaches and reefs so is often seen below the Byron Lighthouse and Flat Rock at Lennox Head.
On occasions a solitary bird will visit the Belongil estuary last visit was in January 2006 and stayed for several weeks. Usually seen in pairs but during the winter months the may gather in small flocks … up to eleven have been sighted at flat rock at one time but their breeding grounds are not known for this area.
