I concur with Roger's daughter. I spent nearly three weeks wandering around
the NW Slopes, Macquarie Marshes, Coonabarabran to Dubbo area this month and
there are large numbers of waterbirds and their predators everywhere. As one
metric between Narromine and Warren there was about one Pacific Heron every
few kilometres. This was more of the species than I had seen in a few
lifetimes. Myra (at Willie) claimed never to have seen it like it this. As I
got closer to the central slopes and around Bathurst the numbers reduced
dramatically even where there was abundant water. By the time I crossed the
mountains you were struggling to see a Pukeko or a White-faced Heron. The
Marshes themselves were saturated in most life forms as my previous posting
below indicated:
"We arrived two days ago in the Macquarie Marshes and I have to say I doubt
in a number of continents and more years than I care to specify, I have ever
seen anything like the numbers of birds - in the air, on water and whatever
little land and trees there are. We counted about 70 plus species in little
over an hour cruising along a few kilometres of the Gibson Way. Magpie Geese
and Brolgas sticking their heads up above the abundant vegetation, Hardheads
shepherding chicks while a couple of Australasian Bitterns boom in the reed
beds. The second crossing east of Willie had a mixed assemblage of Great
Egrets, Little Egrets, Straw and White Ibis using the flowing water for some
angling while a couple well feed kites and a Little Eagle watched on.
As far as the eye can see there were V-formations, flocks and mixed species
clusters travelling in any direction and making avian air traffic control a
serious issue. All this activity was not only visual as a cacophony of
grunts and whistles drifted from the floating breeding centres and
distinctive odour of Ibis preen oil wafted through marshes. The new growth
and the abundance of insect life it supports is, by itself, a spectacular
sight. The land is so flooded the parrots forage from above using any fence,
shrub or object that will support their weight to get at the abundant green
seed. Watching Red-winged Parrots upside down on the shrubbery is all part
of the show. Absolutely fantastic.
The road up from Warren has significant stretches underwater and it is
critical travellers check the local conditions. Gibson Way is closed as
large sections have been churned up. It probably possible to get through but
don't expect locals to applaud as you chew through their council rates on
diesel for repairs. The yin and yang of such events is all too clear. Towns
such as Forbes and Condobolin continue to struggle and the infrastructural
damage such as the roads will burden already over-stretch LGAs. Perhaps the
birdwatching community can play its part as the waters recede by filling the
caravan parks, fuel tanks and stomachs on local purchases."
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