Hi all,
i promised to update on the state of wetlands here on the Vic northern plains,
once the major flooding had passed. The rain here has just kept going since the
first flooding in early Sept, and many wetlands have been topped up more than
once since then. Even as I write, a further 30 plus millimitres has fallen and
no doubt more runoff will occur.
The lakes along the Loddon and Avoca river systems have filled. Across the flat
riverina plains closer to the Murray all the low lying ephemeral wetlands have
been inundated, many of them quite small, but very productive.
As has been commented on, ther are many birds missing, enjoying conditions
further inland. Being very full the larger lakes ( eg Lake Bael Bael, ) have
relatively few birds. As it dries over summer I imagine it will improve.
One larger wetland that is more lively is Tragowel swamp, access just off
Loddon valley highway a few kms south of Kerang. This swamp has lignum right
through it and is quite shallow, so it will probably dry up quicker than some
other lakes. There are loads of nesting duck, including Pink-eared, and Royal
Spoonbills look like they are commencing to breed. Lots of Nativehen and Little
Grassbirds. I imagine a big slosh around the swamp would turn up crakes and
waders, maybe even Painted Snipe ?!!
Of the smaller wetlands, a nice spot is Wilkinsons swamp just NW of Kamarooka
forest. Viewable from the road there are some nice flooded canegrass areas.
The Bendigo creek has flooded widely in that general area, areas to look at are
from the ilkinsons swamp road, Tandarra elmore road, and Dingee rochester road.
Futher north on the Patho plains nice little swamps are dotted around, eg
Echuca serpentine road NE of Trimby road, Tomara dam on Martin/Tomara road, and
some more open floods on the Terricks Gunbower road and the Mitiamo Kow swamp
road.
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