RFI Egret breeding - Murray River wetlands

A request for bird observers visiting any of the Murray River wetlands in the coming months.

Observers may be aware that a number of wetland sites along the Murray (Hattah, Gunbower, Barmah, etc) are currently (October 2005) being provided with environmental flows to assist in triggering waterbird, fish and amphibian breeding in key wetlands as well as to improve the condition of these sites for flora and other fauna.

My particular interest is in egrets (Great, Intermediate and Little) and if any breeding by them occurs along the Murray this season.

If you visit anywhere near the river and see any species of egret, please note any of the following
- birds in breeding plumage (plumes or face colour present)
- congregations of egrets near these wetlands (ie. feeding groups near forest margins etc)
- egrets showing a tendency to fly towards these areas (in numbers)

The above egret species are ALL threatened in Victoria and a management plan (Action Statement) has been compiled to address their conservation.  Action Statements are available on the Department of Sustainability & Environment web site or from me upon request.

check the following URL if you're interested.

http://www.dse.vic.gov.au
->'Plants & animals'
->'Native Plants & animals'
->'Threatened Species & Communities'
->'Action Statements'

cheers, Martin

Martin O'Brien
Threatened Species & Communities Section
Department of Sustainability and Environment
2/8 Nicholson St. (PO Box 500), East Melbourne  3002

Tel: 9637 9869
(prefixes: Interstate 03 International 613)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~