Last weekend I was
invited over to a friend’s property near Young (southern tablelands NSW) to
survey a patch of woodland. He would like to apply for a heritage grant to
enable some tree planting and wanted to know what, if any, threatened species
he had on his property. There was much die back evident and this has been left
as habitat for superb parrots, of which we saw one flying over.
On the way we
stopped to have a look at one of his farm dams and I was amazed to see two
freckled ducks upending on the dam and two black-tailed native hen standing on
the shore. Also in occupation were 8 pink-eared duck, black-fronted dotterel, Australasian
grebe and Eurasian coot. We later flushed a third B-t NH in some reeds.
Near the stand of
woodland I surveyed, was a second dam about half a km from the first and the waterfowl
was totally different from the first dam yet the dams were similar in size and water
volumes. Species on the second included wood duck, pacific black duck, hardhead
and grey teal, white faced heron and red-kneed dotterel. In fact the only species
present at both locations were masked lapwings.
Is there an
explanation for this?
____________________________
Alastair Smith
Assistant Director
Law Enforcement Liaison
National Coordinator Child Pornography
Phone: 02 6275 6726
Mob: 0401 993
381
Fax: 02
6275 6996
