ONGOING NOTES: currently up to 16 February 2011
Waterbirds and wetland-related species recorded at Wanganella swamps (Forest & 8 Mile Creeks) from 1 November 2010 to 16 February 2011 with particular reference to breeding records.

* denotes breeding

Observer: Philip N Maher
Deniliquin 2710
New South Wales
Australia
enquiries@philipmaher.com

* Plumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni
November & December 2010: Flocks of up to 15 birds seen in November 2010 and pairs recorded in December 2010; all on the TSR.

29 December 2010: Pair with about eight three-quarter grown young seen at the 8 Mile Creek bridge.

28 January 2011: 20 — 30 birds seen at Clarke's Creek swamp.  

Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arcuata
30 October 2010: Three seen on TSR, thereafter one to three seen on many occasions in November and December. The last sighting was of a pair on 29 December 2010 at the 8 Mile Creek bridge.

3 December 2010: A pair seen about 2 km upstream on Wanganella Station.

18 January 2011: Pair seen south side of the TSR, 8 Mile Creek, and another single bird 300 metres downstream of the 8 Mile Creek bridge. The behaviour of this single bird (calling and agitated) would suggest there might have been young nearby. If so, this is possibly the first breeding record for this species in the Riverina.

8 February 2011: One adult downstream of 8 Mile Creek bridge.

Musk Duck Biziura lobata
21 November 2010: One bird recorded on TSR.

2—3 December 2010: About three seen on TSR and another upstream on Wanganella Station; two males displaying on 3 December.

16 December 2010: Three males displaying upstream of Cobb Highway on Wanganella Station.

29 December 2010: Male displaying at the 8 Mile Creek bridge.

18 January 2011: Male downstream and female upstream of 8 Mile Creek bridge. As males have been displaying for two to three weeks, breeding is probably underway.

28 January 2011: A female seen at the 8 Mile Creek bridge.

8 February 2011: Two birds seen including a juvenile bird near the 8 Mile Creek bridge — the first breeding record for this species during the current flood event at Wanganella

Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa
20 January 2011: One adult female seen on open water near the McCrabb’s boundary; the first Freckled Duck recorded on the Wanganella swamps for over a decade. Historically, the observer has recorded this species at this particular locality. 

* Black Swan Cygnus atratus
3 December 2010: Three nests seen on Wanganella Station — one being constructed and two with eggs (1 x 4 eggs, 1 x 6 eggs).

5 December 2010: One clutch of cygnets seen on the TSR.

13 December 2010: One nest with five eggs on the TSR.

18 January 2011: About twelve birds in the vicinity of ibis rookery; some full-grown immatures seen; about six disused nests seen. 

28 January 2011: Pair with five small cygnets near the middle bridge.

8 February 2011:  About six adults seen.

Australian Wood Duck Chenonetta jubata
November & December 2010: A few seen, probably some breeding.

16 December 2010: About 50 seen upstream on Wanganella Station.

* Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus
21 November 2010: Adult at a nest hollow on the TSR, east side Cobb Highway.

3 December 2010: One clutch of young seen; an adult sitting on a stick nest on Wanganella Station.

16 December 2010: Five clutches of eggs and five clutches of small to half-grown young on Wanganella Station, upstream of Cobb Highway.

29 December 2010: One clutch of four half-grown young seen near Cobb Highway.

28 January 2011: Three adults and six juveniles seen near the 8 Mile Creek bridge.

8 February 2011:  One clutch of young seen at the 8 Mile Creek bridge. .

Australian Shoveller Anas rhynchotis
November & December 2010:  A few pairs or small flocks  seen most visits; probably some breeding.  

* Grey Teal Anas gracilis
2 & 3 December 2010: Three clutches of young seen on the TSR, west of the Cobb Highway.

13 December 2010: Three clutches of young seen on the TSR, west of the Cobb Highway.

16 December 2010: Two clutches of eggs and about eight clutches of small to half-grown young on Wanganella Station, upstream of Cobb Highway.

18 January 2011: Four clutches of full-grown young seen.

28 January 2011: A few seen every visit.

8 February 2011: Quite a few dead juveniles seen; mortality possibly a result of botulism brought about by low water levels and high temperatures. .

*Chestnut Teal Anas castanea
22 November 2010: Pair with about eight juveniles seen on TSR along Cobb Highway.

*Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa
27 November 2010: Nest with 10 eggs; several clutches of juvenile young seen during November.
13 December 2010: Three clutches of young on the TSR.
16 December 2010: Four clutches of young on Wanganella Station, upstream of Cobb Highway.
18 January 2011: Three clutches of almost full-grown young seen in the vicinity of the ibis rookery.
28 January 2011: Some seen every visit.
8 February 2011: Moderate numbers of adults and immatures.

 * Hardhead Aythya australis
2 December 2010: Two nests, one with six eggs, the other with nine eggs, located in lignum Muehlenbeckia florulenta on the TSR on the west side of the Cobb Highway.
9 December 2010: Clutch of 11 well-grown young on the TSR.
13 December 2010. Two nests with eight and 10 eggs and two clutches of about 10 small young seen on the TSR, west side Cobb Highway.
17 December 2010: One nest with nine eggs on the TSR, west side Cobb Highway. One of the more numerous ducks present; rarely seen breeding in the district over the last 30 years.
18 January 2011: About eight clutches of young seen from one week to almost full-grown. Some clutches contained up to 18 or so young, indicating that two or more clutches have joined together with the one pair of adults.
20 January 211: Another four clutches of small young seen that had not previously been recorded.
28 January 2011: Dozens of juveniles seen around the bridges.
8 February 2011: A few clutches of well-grown young seen although numbers are well down on those recorded prior to the drop in water levels in late January.

Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis
11 December 2010: One pair seen.

16 December 2010: Single male bird seen.

19 December 2010: Single male bird seen.The first sighting of this species in the Forest Creek system since the 1980s. Breeding should occur if water levels are maintained.

18 January 2011: Pair seen upstream of McCrabb’s regulator.  Single males seen downstream of 8 Mile Creek bridge. Behaviour of all birds suggests breeding is occurring or about to occur.

20 January 2011: Single male near McCrabbs boundary.

8 February 2011: Single adult female near the ibis rookery.

Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
November & December 2010: Few pairs seen on the TSR, some probably are nesting.

18 January 2011: Immature birds seen near the 8 Mile Creek bridge, indicating that this species has also successfully bred here.

28 January 2011: One seen near the 8 Mile Creek bridge.


* Hoary-headed Grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus
3 December 2010: Nesting colony with about 50 nests, most with two to four eggs about 2 km upstream on Wanganella Station with Whiskered Terns.

18 January 2011: Adults and immatures near 8 Mile Creek bridge.

20 January 2011: A pair with juvenile young near the McCrabb’s boundary indicating more have bred in that area (they normally breed in a colony).

28 January 2011: Three birds seen near the 8 Mile Creek bridge.


Great-crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
3 December 2010: The first sightings of two separate birds; one on the east side of Cobb Highway on the TSR; the other on Wanganella Station, upstream of Cobb Highway.

5 December 2010: A pair recorded on the TSR at the 8 Mile Creek bridge. This species has not been seen at this locality since it nested here in early 1980s. It was hoped that they would breed here this season but they were not seen again subsequent to the drop in water levels after 5 December.

Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae
3 December 2010: One male flying over.

13 December 2010: One male flying over willows on west side of Cobb Highway; possibly nesting.

28 January 2011: One seen on the 8 Mile Creek, southeast side, TSR.

16 February 2011: Three birds, 8 Mile Creek, Wanganella Station.

 Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos
November & December 2010: Few about the swamps on the TSR and on Wanganella Station.

January 2011: A few seen each visit.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
5 December 2010: One near ibis rookery on TSR.

28 January 2011: About six seen on the 8 Mile Creek, south-east side, TSR. Influx probably due to water dropping and fish becoming more concentrated.

16 February 2011: Two birds, 8 Mile Creek, Wanganella Station.

Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus
November 2010:  Single birds flying overhead of the TSR on a couple of occasions.  

Australasian Bittern Ixobrychus dubius
November 2010: One male calling over several weeks on the east side of the Cobb Highway on Wanganella Station about 2 km upstream.

3 December 2010: Locality of call was established; should be nesting; the low rushy swamp looks suitable for breeding.

16 December 2010: Searched thoroughly for this bird on Wanganella Station but it could not be located. The drop in water level on Wanganella Station would not be conducive to this species nesting.

11 December 2010: A male calling north of 8 Mile Creek, probably on the TSR.

19 December 2010: A male calling north of 8 Mile Creek, probably on the TSR.

18 January 2011: One flew across the TSR near the 8 Mile Creek bridge.  Observer’s first actual sighting of this species at Wanganella since the early 1990s. This species could still be breeding at Wanganella and the importance of stable water levels cannot be over-emphasized.

20 January 2011: One bird, on two occasions, flew in and landed in beds of common spikerush. Later in the day a bird flew over at the 8 Mile Creek bridge and landed on the TSR on the east side of the Cobb Highway. There was an unsuccessful attempt to find a nest on the TSR north of the 8 Mile Creek. Some areas look suitable for nesting but as the previous entry notes, unstable water levels will not suit this species. There were no calls heard during the day.

16 February 2011: One bird calling along the Cobb Highway, south side of the creek system.

White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica
November & December 2010 Up to about 15 birds about the swamps on the TSR; present on most visits.

16 December 2010: Up to 50 birds feeding in the receding swamps near the Wanganella Station woolshed.

18 January 2011: Two birds feeding about the TSR.

28 January 2011: About 30 birds on the drying-out Clarke's Creek on the TSR.

Eastern Great Egret Ardea modesta
November & December 2010:  Just a couple of birds seen occasionally on the TSR.

16 December 2010: About 10 birds feeding on the receding swamps on Wanganella Station.

8 February 2011: One bird feeding about the TSR.

 Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia
27 November 2010: Up to 20 birds present on TSR, west side of Cobb Highway.

2 December 2010: Up to 20 birds present on TSR, west side of Cobb Highway.

13 December 2010: Few seen on the TSR, west side of Cobb Highway

Cattle Egret Ardea ibis
2 December 2010: About 20 birds on TSR west side of Cobb Highway; many in breeding plumage; the first recorded in the district for several years.

5 December 2010: Two birds on TSR, west side of Cobb Highway

White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae
November & December 2010: Few about the swamps on the TSR.

18 January 2011: A few feeding about the TSR.

28 January 2011: A few seen each visit.

Nankeen Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus
November & December 2010: About 20 birds seen on numerous occasions roosting out in the cumbungi Typha sp. on the TSR and flying about during the day.

13 December 2010: About 100 birds, mostly immatures, roosting in willows on Wanganella Station, on the west side of Cobb Highway.

16 December 2010: About 300 birds, including many immatures, roosting along the creek on Wanganella Station upstream of Cobb Highway.  

20 January 2011: One bird seen in a willow tree near McCrabb's boundary.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Late November & December 2010: Up to 20 birds seen flying about the main ibis rookery on several occasions.

16 December 2010: Up to 100 birds feeding in receding swamps near the woolshed on Wanganella Station. No sign of breeding.

24 January 2011: About 30 birds seen feeding in the drying-out Clarke's Creek swamp on the TSR.

* Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca
1 November and 25 November 2010: Several nests seen at the Straw-necked Ibis colony on the TSR/Wanganella Station, west side of Cobb Highway.

3 December 2010: Scattered colonies of up to 100 pairs nesting about 2 km upstream on Wanganella Station; all with eggs.

13 December 2010: About 250 pairs comprising about 100 pairs incubating, about 100 pairs with small to half-grown young, and about 50 pairs with almost fledged young. All nesting with Straw-necked Ibis at the main colony on the TSR/Wanganella Station on the west side of the Cobb Highway.

16 December 2010: Good numbers feeding in receding swamps on Wanganella Station.

18 January 2011: Two to three hundred pairs nesting on TSR and Wanganella Station. Nests seen at all stages from eggs and recently hatched young through to flying young with the majority thought to have about half-grown young.  

28 January 2011: Some seen feeding in the swamp and soaring over the rookery on every visit.

8 February 2011: The majority of eggs and small young seen on 18 January 2011 have seemingly been deserted; just a couple of nests with small young seen today. The rest of the young are well grown and will be flying within a couple of weeks.

* Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis
1 November 2010: Approximately 1000 pairs starting to build nests on the TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.

22 November 2010: Three to five thousand pairs thought to be nesting in main colony on the west side of the Cobb Highway; nests with one to five eggs, mostly one to two eggs; many still building.

25 November 2010: Approximately 2000 pairs recorded nesting; nests containing one to three eggs; some birds still pushing down cumbungi; only part of the colony was checked.

3 December 2010: Three to five thousand pairs nesting in main colony on the west side of the Cobb highway; few pairs nesting with White Ibis at upstream colony on Wanganella Station.

16 December 2010: About 80 pairs constructing nests at the colony 2 km upstream on Wanganella Station and good numbers feeding in receding swamps further upstream.

13 December 2010: At the main colony on the TSR/Wanganella Station on the west side of the Cobb Highway, the Straw-necked Ibis were at the following stages — about 1000 pairs laying eggs, about 800 pairs nest building, about 1500 pairs incubating eggs, about 200 pairs just hatching and about 50 pairs with almost fledged young. About a thousand pairs incubating eggs were not checked as they were inspected on 25 November 2010.

18 January 2011: Three to five thousand pairs nesting on the TSR and Wanganella Station. Nests seen at all stages from eggs and recently hatched young through to flying young. The breakdown in numbers is roughly 1000 pairs with half-grown young (these are the birds that were laying on the observer’s last visit, 13 December); 800 pairs with small young (building nests on the last visit); about 1500 pairs with half to three-quarter grown young (incubating eggs on the last visit); about 1000 pairs with three-quarter to full-grown young; about 200 pairs with eggs or recently hatched young.

28 January 2011: Hundreds seen soaring over the rookery on every visit.

8 February 2011:  Approximately a 1000 pairs with half-grown young should be flying in about three weeks; the remaining young are at various stages from two-thirds to fully-fledged. The two hundred or so pairs with eggs and small young seen on 18 January 2011 appear to have deserted.

Yellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipes
18 December 2010: At least two birds seen on TSR on the west side of Cobb Highway.

* Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia
25 November 2010: At least five pairs nesting in a willow tree and on lignum on the west side of the Cobb Highway in the Straw-necked Ibis colony. 

3 December 2010: About fifteen pairs nesting with White Ibis in dead trees and on cumbungi about 2 km upstream of the Cobb Highway on Wanganella Station. Two nests were checked at this location — one nest had one egg and two young and the other had two eggs and two young.

13 December 2010: Another six nests with eggs or still being built on Wanganella Station in willows and on cumbungi on the west side of the Cobb Highway; one nest checked contained three eggs. This makes a total of 11 nests on the west side of the Cobb Highway and about 15 nests on the east side on Wanganella Station.

18 January 2011: Two nests, not seen previously, were checked at the northern end of the ibis rookery. One nest contained three three-quarter grown young and the other nest four three-quarter grown young. Most nests will be at a similar stage.

28 January 2011:A few seen feeding around the swamp on every visit.

8 February 2011: Several fledged young and almost fledged young in nests.

White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster
2 November 2010: One sub-adult seen.

23 December 2010: Same bird seen.

Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus
8 February 2011: One seen over the ibis rookery, probably scavenging dead birds.

Swamp Harrier Circus approximans
November & December 2010: Around three pairs over the TSR along the Cobb Highway and on Wanganella Station. Should be nesting.

18 January 2011: Two birds working the swamps.

28 January 2011: Two or three birds seen every visit including juvenile-plumaged birds.

8 February 2011:  Few adults and immatures working the swamp.

* Brolga Grus rubicunda
1 November 2010: A pair with a nest with two eggs on the TSR on the west side of the Cobb Highway in the ibis colony.

21 November 2010: Two chicks, about two-week old, seen with adults on the TSR on the west side of the Cobb Highway.

5 December 2010: Both chicks were sighted with adults on the TSR on the west side of the Cobb Highway.

17 December 2010: The adult pair seen on the TSR on the west side of the Cobb Highway; young not seen in tall grass.

22 December 2010: Both young seen with the adults on the TSR on the west side of the Cobb Highway; now about three-quarters grown.

28 January 2011: Not seen by this observer since 22 December 2010.

* Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio
November and December 2010: A mass breeding of this species is occurring all along the creek system. About 20 nests with eggs were recorded east and west of the Cobb Highway; some birds still building late December.

13 &16 December 2010: A few more nests with eggs seen on the TSR and Wanganella Station.

19 December 2010: One nest with eggs on the TSR.

18 January 2011: About 20 birds were seen, comprising adults and well-grown young. No nests with eggs recorded.

28 January 2011: Many adults and juveniles seen along the Cobb Highway, many of which are being run over.

8 February 2011: Several clutches of juveniles with adults seen.

Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis
November 2010: Two or three birds calling along the highway on several occasions.
27 November 2010: One adult seen on the TSR beside the Cobb Highway.

 Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla
12 November 2010: An adult flushed on the TSR, east side of the Cobb Highway.
3 December 2010: An adult flushed on Wanganella Station, upstream of the Cobb Highway.
17 December 2010: One bird flushed from common spike-rush Eleocharis acuta on the TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.
20 January 2011: One flushed from a fairly open swamp (about 300 mm deep) that contained scattered spikerush, nitre goosefoot and dead roly poly Sclerolaena muricata on the TSR, north-east side near the Wanganella—Conargo Road.

Australian Spotted Crake Porzana fluminea
25 November 2010: One or two calling on the TSR at Clarke's Creek lignum swamp as it was filling.
29 January 2011: Two juveniles were spotlighted in the Clarke's Creek swamp; these birds undoubtedly bred in this swamp.

* Black-tailed Native Hen Tribonyx ventralis
25 November 2010: Nest with seven eggs in cumbungi on TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.

3 December 2010: Another nest with one egg on the east side of the highway in lignum on Wanganella Station.
29 January 2011: About 10 birds, adults and juveniles, seen about the Clarke's Creek swamp; these birds undoubtedly bred in this swamp.

8 February 2011: Around 25 adults and juveniles seen the Clarke’s Creek swamp.

* Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa
November & December 2010:  Few pairs sighted about the TSR.

19 December 2010: One pair building a nest at the 8 Mile Creek bridge.

18 January 2011: Two separate adults were seen, one near the 8 Mile bridge with juvenile young about half-grown, indicating that this species has successfully bred at Wanganella swamps.

28 January 2011: Adult and juvenile seen at 8 Mile Creek bridge.

8 February 2011: One seen at the 8 Mile Creek bridge.

8 February 2011: Many birds present around the bridges.

* Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
3 — 29 December 2010: A mass breeding of this species all along the creek.
About thirty nests seen in total to date; some hatching recorded on 3 December and several clutches of young seen on 3 and 5 December 2010. Have lost count of the number of clutches of young now seen on the TSR and Wanganella Station. Some were still laying eggs on 16 December 2010; some young were nearly fully grown on 29 December 2010.

18 January 2011: Many clutches of well-grown young seen about the bridge and the ibis rookery. No nests with eggs recorded.

28 January 2011: Many birds seen regularly, now mainly juveniles, around the bridges.

8 February 2011: Many birds present around the bridges.

* Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
November 2010: About ten nests with eggs seen on the TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.

3 & 4 December 2010: Most eggs had hatched; young from tiny to three-quarter grown were recorded. Also a few pairs nesting on the east side of the highway on Wanganella Station.

19 December 2010: Flying young seen on TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.

18 January 2011: About ten birds total, adults and fully-grown young, seen on south side of 8 Mile Creek. Many have moved on due to the common rush weed becoming too thick in the shallow water.

28 January 2011: Some adults and young present in the drying-out Clarke's Creek swamp.

8 February 2011: A flock of 50 to 60 adults and immatures at Clarke’s Creek swamp.

* Red-kneed Dotterel Erythrogonys cinctus
November, 2 & 5 December 2010: About six nests seen, still all with eggs in loose colony with Black-winged Stilts and Australian Painted Snipe on the TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.

19 December 2010: Adults performing distraction displays on the TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway; young thought to be present.

28 January 2011: About 100 red-kneed dotterels, adults and immatures, in the drying-out swamps at Clarke's Creek and Wanganella Station.

Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles
November & December 2010: Many pairs present all along the creek; one was seen chasing a Swamp Harrier on the TSR, an indication of breeding having occurred.

18 January 2011: Adults an immature birds seen, indicating that this species has successfully bred at the Wanganella swamps. *

28 January 2011: A few seen every visit.

8 February 2011: Adults and immatures at the 8 Mile and Clarke’s Creek swamps.

Australian Painted Snipe Rostratula australis
22 November 2010: Two males recorded on the TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.

27 November 2010: Three birds recorded, two males and one female and nest with four eggs on the TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.

5 December 2010:  Nest seen again, still with four eggs; male not seen; female nearby.

13 December 2010: Male near nest behaving secretively; female nearby; nest now with only one egg remaining; presumably the other three had hatched.

19 December 2010: Male doing distraction displays; young not seen but the male’s behaviour indicated the young were present.

29 December 2010: None seen.

24 January 2011: A male seen.

28 January 2011: Five or six birds seen, possibly the two adult males and the female plus the young from the nest that was first recorded 27 November 2010. (Three of the four eggs are thought to have hatched).

29 January 2011: Two birds spotlighted; both thought to be males, observer unsure if either were immatures.

8 February 2011: None seen.

Latham’s Snipe Gallinago hardwickii
1 November 2010: About 12 birds seen on TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.
22 November 2010:  Four birds seen on TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.
27 November 2010: One bird seen on TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.
2 December 2010: One bird seen on TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.
3 December 2010: One bird seen on TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.
13 December 2010: Four birds seen on TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.
29 December 2010: Five birds seen on TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.
24 January 2011: About 30 birds seen.
28 January 2011: Up to 40 seen, the most seen in over 20 years in these swamps.
29 January 2011: About six spotlighteD.
8 February 2011:  About six seen at Clarke’s Creek swamp; numbers reduced from those recorded on 24 and 28 January 2011.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata
1 November 2010: About 10 birds seen on the TSR, west side of Cobb Highway.
12 November 2010: About 10 birds seen on the TSR, west side of Cobb Highway.
3 December 2010: Two birds seen on Wanganella Station, upstream of Cobb Highway.
24 January 2011: Around six birds seen.
28 January 2011: Around six birds seen — a few at Wanganella Station on the east side and a few at Clarke's Creek.
8 February 2011: One bird with flock of Red-kneed Dotterels at Clarke’s Creek swamp.

 * Whiskered Terns Chlidonias hybrida
3 December 2010: Nesting colony with Hoary-headed Grebes about 2 km upstream on Wanganella Station; up to 50 pairs present, probably many still building; three nests all with three eggs recorded.
16 December 2010: A few birds seen on nests at the above colony. 
18 January 2011: About thirty adults and immature birds flew across, downstream of 8 Mile Creek bridge.
28 January 2011: Around 50 seen; some juveniles are in trouble because of the water level dropping.

* Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis
November & December 2010:  A couple of pairs recorded on the TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.
2 December 2010: One seen building a nest on the TSR, west side of the Cobb Highway.
29 December 2010: One pair seen on Wanganella Station, upstream of the Cobb Highway.
18 January 2011: One bird calling south side of TSR at 8 Mile Creek.

* Australian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus australis
November & December 2010: A few pairs about the cumbungi on the TSR..
13 December 2010: Nest with eggs in willow tree on the west side of the TSR.
16 December 2010: Nest with eggs in common reed Phragmites australis along the creek on Wanganella Station, upstream of the Cobb Highway.
18 January 2011: Many calling and a few seen all through the cumbungi and phragmites about the ibis rookery. No nests recorded.
28 January 2011: Seen every visit.

 * Little Grassbird  Megalurus gramineus
November & December 2010:  Moderately common about the TSR, many calling.
16 December 2010: Nest with eggs seen in lignum on Wanganella Station, upstream of Cobb Highway.
18 January 2011: Few heard and one nest recorded with about five eggs in cumbungi near the ibis rookery.
28 January 2011: Adults and juveniles seen every visit; many at Clarke's Creek swamp.

Reptiles
Tiger Snake Notechis scutatus
18 January 2011: One swimming in the swamp on the south side of the ibis rookery. The observer’s first sighting of a live Tiger Snake since the Wanganella swamps dried out in 2006. One dead specimen was seen on the Cobb highway in November 2010.

 

© AOS Pty Ltd

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------