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Durras Lake is still closed to the sea meaning the
higher water levels provide an excellent opportunity to easily access the far
flung corners of this delightful lake and its tributaries. So last
Friday I paddled my kayak across the lake to Cumbralaway Creek taking in some
birding highlights on the way including a pair of White bellied Sea Eagles, a
Rose Robin on the western shore, and a pair of Azure Kingfishers along the creek
banks.
Birds such as Cormorants, Herons, Egrets, the Sea
Eagles, and my personal favourite the Azure Kingfishers are regularly seen on
any lake outing. This area is about to be declared a Sanctuary Zone (i.e.
no fishing) within the new Batemans Marine Park. Stated benefits are said
to be improved fishing in adjacent areas as fish breed and move out of
sanctuary zones. But I am wondering if, as fish numbers increase, will the
population of aquatic birds and waders such as those mentioned above, perhaps
even raptors like Sea Eagles and maybe Ospreys, also increase with the
availability of more food. Or maybe the resident populations will just get
fatter as they "fish illegally" within the sanctuary.
Saturday was Tuross River day, paddling in still,
glassy conditions and accompanied by a chorus from the "who's who" of coastal
bush birds. At one point there was a very large tree fallen from the bank
and now lying horizontally above the water. The thin end of this tree
contained a typical congregation of Little Black and Little Pied
Cormorants. I noticed another dark shape back towards the bank - to my
surprise it turned out to be a large black billy goat, standing on the log about
two metres above the water. Geoffrey D would probably put some wings on it
and rack up another tick!
Other highlights were what I am pretty sure was a
little Egret (based on size alone as it kept flying ahead as I got close), and
another Osprey. (Personal Osprey tally now 3 at Tuross and
Buckenbowra Rivers and Durras Lake). I Might have racked up more
highlights but had to come scuttling home with a wet tail when the southerly and
driving rain blew in. On the drive home I called in to Tuross and saw
8 Pied Oyster Catchers and 6 Bar-tailed Godwits sheltering where Coila Lake
nearly meets the sea. While driving along the highway I noticed but of
course couldn't count a flock of white throated needletails just north of the
Tuross turn off, and a Pacific Heron near one of the farm dams.
Cheers
Rod
Rod Mackay
Tel. 0407 456 330
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