I, for one, have often thought, like
Peter, that Kelly’s has a lot of potential if it was managed for
birds. I don’t think we’re talking Werribee here, Philip,
but, if water levels were managed to ensure there were always muddy fringes for
waders and crakes; vegetation was managed, especially on islands, to provide
better breeding and roosting sites; foxes were controlled and access by cattle,
dogs, etc, restricted (not to mention, humans picnicking in front of the
hides!), the site would be much more attractive to passing waders, terns and
ducks. Whilst I accept that the proximity of the airport is an issue,
I’m not sure how much of an issue it really is. After all,
Kelly’s is already there, with the adjacent STW and Lake Burley Griffin,
and they’re not *that* close
to the airport. How does Townsville manage with Townsville Common at the
end of the runway, and more birds than Canberra
can dream of?! Anyway, if ‘managing’ Kelly’s simply
resulted in vast flocks of pelicans, swans and silver gulls, then it would be
the wrong sort of management!
Regards
Frank
From: Philip Veerman
[
Sent: Monday, 26 June 2006 12:38
PM
To: ; ;
Subject: [canberrabirds] Kelly's
cf Fivebough Swamp Leeton
Mark is certainly correct about the airport issue and
its importance about not having too many birds there. Actually, I'm a bit
surprised by Peter's comments and I have not thought along those lines at all
and didn't realise anyone did. I would have thought the JW area is a very good
bird spot, given how close it is to the city, that it has other requirements to
fill and could never hope to be anything to compare with Werribee, which is
huge and close to the coast. Also I'd suggest Mark's comments are as much a
personal comment and age related as other things. If someone now waded and swam across many of the channels they would likely encounter more good
birds than we do taking it easy walking on the formed paths. I used to do that
sort of crazy thing too (in other places) but don't feel inclined any more. JW
regularly has as many native species of ducks in a situation easier (as in
closer) viewable than just about any other site in inland SE Aust. I went on a
COG trip to Fivebough Swamp Leeton in September 2000 (I expect it was written
up in GG). From memory it was pretty good, well worth seeing. Like many similar
spots and I don't know that it was particularly superior to Gum Swamp
at Forbes or the sewage works at Hay or many other places I've been to.
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