We have previously discussed the confusion, actual and potential, caused by the popular label ‘Jerrabomberra’. This is the name of a district within Canberra
(used for census purposes among others)and of a suburb of Queanbeyan. In the 2011 census Jerra ACT had a population of 1175, including the residents of the Alexander Maconachie Centre; Jerra NSW had a population of 9420. Jerra ACT is said to be named for
an aboriginal word meaning ‘afraid of lightning’; Jerra NSW for an aboriginal word meaning ‘youngsters’ meeting place’. Jerrabomberra Wetlands and Jerrabomberra Oval, unlike Oaks Estate, the Mugga Lane tip, Woolworths Jerrabomberra and ‘The Jerra’ Asian
restaurant, fall within neither of the Jerrabomberras, although Jerrabomberra Wetlands does take in part of Jerrabomberra Creek.
The potential confusion extends to nature reserves. Each of eBird, Canberra Nature Map and Atlas of Living Australia use Google maps as a base. On these there
is something called ‘West Jerrabomberra Nature Reserve’ and ‘Jerrabomberra East Grasslands Reserve’. Neither of those, unlike Jerra Wetlands, is designated as a Canberra Nature Park. However they are listed as 2 of 7 ‘nature reserves’ that protect ‘natural
temperate grassland’, under the names ‘Jerrabomberra East’ and ‘Jerrabomberra West’.
Google maps shows a small shaded section in the north of ‘West Jerrabomberra Nature Reserve’ which is labelled ‘Jerrabomberra Grassland Nature Reserve’. Whether
that section has a different status from the non-nature-parks West Jerrabomberra Nature Reserve and Jerrabomberra East Grasslands Nature Reserve is not immediately apparent.
From: Lindsay Hansch [
Sent: Sunday, 19 February 2017 9:23 AM
To: 'Wayne Gregson'; 'COG List'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Pacific Heron
There was one at Jerrabomberra (NSW) last week also
Lindsay Hansch
From: Wayne Gregson
Sent: Saturday, 18 February 2017 9:05 PM
To: 'COG List'
Subject: [canberrabirds] Pacific Heron
One flying over Narrabundah Hill in the last light this evening. This species seems to have moved into the local area in the last few days, with several sightings in Canberra
and near Bungendore, after a long period when I hadn’t seen any locally
