Parents and progeny

It is rather nice having Friday as an extra day not working. I was able to walk Young L to school this morning. We had a lovely chat on the way. Then a few chores before heading north to the beach house. The rain started as we left, and became heavier and heavier on the journey, and has largely persisted since we got here. 
During a brief lull, I changed and headed down to the water’s edge with the little Canon. I’d left it just a bit late, and the tide was nearly full. Fortunately, there was a posse of Poaka close to the bottom of the steps down to the Southend of Snells Beach. Normally, they exit the scene as soon as they spy me. Today they stayed long enough for this photo.
Poaka (the Pied stilt) is a medium sized wader which is commonly seen in groups, which appear to be family. The calls heard most often are high pitched yapping alarm calls, as they are easily “alarmed”, and fly away. Known elsewhere as the Black-winged stilt, they are believed to have been in New Zealand since the early 19th century. They are found in all kinds of wetlands from estuaries and saltmarshes to freshwater lakes, and swamps.
Poaka are highly gregarious remaining in groups throughout the year. They feed together and roost together, and may associate with other waders such as oystercatchers and Kuaka (godwits). Both parents incubate the eggs, and continue to brood the chicks after they leave the nest, even though they can find their own food from a young age. The parents continue to care for the young for the first year.

The young can be identified in this photograph by what I take to be “worn first basic plumage”.  The adults have nice clear black markings, with sharp edges.