A new walkway is in place so the duck has migrated. Please do not attempt to go cross country from the main road or you will end up in a very wet swamp. There are gates to go through and a very wide path to follow.
The Firth of Thames is 8,500 ha of intertidal flats. It's a popular spot for some 40,000 birds. About 24 species are migrating wading birds, which arrive in the spring from the Arctic Circle (a 10,000 km journey) and return in the autumn. Also there are 60 species of shorebirds.
A visit to the Miranda Shorebird Centre, which is an educational & information facility, with extensive displays, is a must. Entry is free but a donation is appreciated.
Also in the area is the Miranda Hot Springs, which is the home to the largest hot thermal mineral pool in the Southern Hemisphere.