We’re all appreciating our beautiful Riverina landscapes.
It is all happening this spring. We have Bioblitz’s and Bird counts galore. Don’t forget a good place for a bird count is your local wetland.
Wetlands are a great part of our landscape they are often forgotten when it comes to bioblitz and bird counts. They play a huge role both globally and locally in the migration of birds. They have great habitat and buffer the effects of floods and help clean our rivers.
For your bioblitz there are plenty of aquatic plants and there is fauna everywhere. Lizards, skinks, frogs, fish, rakali, yabbies and dragon flies. And birds of course.
For the great Aussie bird count wetland birds are a great addition. There are a huge array of birds. Some are local and stay all year as permanent residents. Some are visitors who come seasonally from other states and some from other parts of the world.
The great part about wetlands is that they are always changing. You never go down to a wetland and see the same thing. Look carefully in the reeds, in the trees, on the mudflats, in the shallow water and in the deep water. All birds have their special little hiding, roosting and feeding spots. Once you have been to the wetland a few times you will start to learn who likes to live and feed where.
Don’t forget to listen while you’re looking. The sounds in wetlands are amazing.
See below a couple of photos of a recent walk around Fivebough in Leeton. This Native Black-Tailed Hen and a Black winged Stilt don’t mind hanging around in the shallow water and the mud flats.
Supported by the NSW Landcare Enabling Program
Black Winged Stilts are a slender elegant wader
– Kathy Tenison
Native Black-Tailed Hens with a green shield over a red bill and pink legs. They are very fleet-footed
– Kathy Tenison
