The Riddle of the Seaplanes: Part 6

By JACQUELINE CROMPTON OTTAWAY

Troy slithered through the long grass and tilted his binoculars towards the far end of Rocky Bay. Gulls were perched among the rocks on nests of seaweed, grass, and sticks.

He paused to adjust the focus, then settled back to watch the other gulls standing like soldiers on duty, guarding the nesting grounds.

He loved watching the way the gulls organised and cared for their chicks. Ever since he came to live on the island with his gran and granddad, he had been studying birds. Some days he walked for miles, spotting nests perched in nooks and crannies all around the coastline.

No one knew this part of the island better than he did.As he swung the binoculars around, he saw a young girl, about six or seven years old, dancing across the beach towards the rocks where the gulls were nesting.

Already, the birds guarding the rookery were agitated, squawking and flapping their wings.Troy picked up the binoculars and started running along the cliff top, waving his arms and calling out to the girl. But she didn't hear him. She was too busy picking up pieces of seaweed and trailing them around in her long fair hair.

Above her, three large gulls began to circle. The next moment they dived, screeching and scolding as they attacked.

Publisher: Shortland Publications

Price: $10.10

Age group: 11 + years