re: Projects at the Jerrabomberra Wetlands

[Bob Rusk <>]

Hi Chris !
The two main things that spring to mind would be instal islands and a supply of permanent water, if possible.   In the early days Kelly's swamp had numerous small islands in the middle of the lake  where the birds could roost over night in relative safety.  If new islands were to be established, the banks of these would have to be some how reinforced against the yabbies burrowing into them, which, along with the weight of the Pelicans climbing out the water, deteriorated a lot of the islands over a period and in time these islands disappeared all together.    With the water issue, it can be said that the drying out of the swamp is just a natural cycle and of course it is, but would it be harmful to provide an "Oasis" in drought conditions for the waterbirds ?   Birds that prefer drier conditions would be more than compensated in the surrounding districts during a drought.   There is a sluice gate connecting Jerrabomberra Creek and Kelly's swamp but to fill the swamp via this sluice gate I believe that the creek has to be full and this very seldom happens during droughts as you can appreciate.  But just over the road there happens to be copious amounts of water at the sewage treatment plant which, when treated, is cleaner than the body of water its flowing into, namely Lake Burley Griffen.  If this water could be used during dry conditions we would probably have to implement some air traffic holding system for all the birds attempting to land.
One other thing, what is , for a better word " The Thistle Field" next to the carpark earmarked for ? there's a lot of potential with good birdo spots there but it seems to be frowned on if anyone actually goes there, so remembering the old adage of "Use it or lose it" would be worth thinking about.
Bob

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From: Chris Davey <
To:
Sent: Saturday, 26 January 2013 3:40 PM
Subject: [canberrabirds] re: Projects at the Jerrabomberra Wetlands

Hi,

 

An Executive Officer has just been appointed to the Capital Woodlands and Wetlands Conservation Trust.  The Trust will be seeking corporate sponsorship for projects to be conducted at both the Mulligans Flat Sanctuary and at the Jerrabomberra Wetlands.  Given the on-going chat-line discussions concerning Kelly’s Swamp, as a member of the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Board, I would very much like to hear ideas that anyone may have of projects at the Wetlands that we could develop and seek funding for from the Trust.  Projects could involve new or enhancing existing infrastructure. There is a great amount of competition out there for corporate funding but the Jerrabomberra Wetlands I believe is in a unique position to offer something different being in mind the difficulties of a balancing act between conservation, education and the pressures that will be on the area given the development of East Lake.

 

NOW IS THE TIME TO PROVIDE YOUR IDEAS.

 

Please either provide idea to me direct or via the chat-line.

 

Chris