Alan Stuart wrote:
>
> Some list members, particularly those in NSW, will be familiar with
> Kooragang Island in Newcastle as a bird haven, especially for migratory
> waders. One popular location for birds and birders is the area on the
> northern side of Stockton Bridge.
>
> During the early-mid 1990s, this area had become degraded due to overgrowth
> from a type of spiky rush (I don't know the scientific name; it is a native
> plant). The plants began growing there because some gradual changes to
> local topography had stopped the occasional flooding at very high tides
> that used to occur. Consequently, the habitat became favourable to this
> particular plant, which was unfortunate for the waders that liked to roost
> there. They mostly stopped doing so.
>
> A couple of years ago, as part of a major rehabilitation project that is
> going on centered around Kooragang and Ash Islands, some earthworks were
> carried out at the Stockton Bridge site to create a lagoon and small island
> and to allow occasional flooding of much of the rest of the area. This
> work has had mixed success. The spiky rush is under control, and some
> waders now roost again in the area (they have always been feeding on the
> exposed mudflats at low tide). However, things used to be better, and
> hopefully can be.
>
> Hunter Bird Observers Club has recently been invited to put forward
> proposals to further improve the site. We're thinking that the island,
> which is little used by any birds, should be lowered in height and the
> surrounding water depth decreased. I'd like to invite comments on this,
> and solicit additional suggestions, from those of you who are familiar with
> the site.
>
> Please send your thoughts to me at In due
> course I'll post a summary of the suggestions to the list, and we'll put
> forward a set of suggestions to the rehab. group. (This doesn't mean that
> they'll necessarily act upon them, but at least they will give
> consideration).
>
> Thanks
>
> Alan Stuart
> HBOC President
Dear Alan,
I am vetting my first sheets! Your Wybong sheet has no sight location -
I presume there was none - in bush. Please Confirm.. I think I will
talk to David Kibble today about KI.
Ann
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