PHOTO: Narran Lake Credit: John Porter
The University of NSW (UNSW) recently completed an annual aerial survey of waterbirds throughout the state. As expected, they experienced extensive flooded areas, particularly in the Murray -Darling Basin.
“It will be no surprise that there is so much water that the waterbirds are literally thin on the water – they are all spread out,” said lead researcher Professor Richard Kingsford. “This is the third La Niňa year in a row and there has been a boom in breeding, despite relatively few waterbirds across the area. On top of this we are seeing an increase coming through from previous years’ breeding.”
Luke Farr, whose property fronts the Barwon River near Walgett said the increased rain this year has encouraged a prolific amount of bird life.
“We have wood ducks and black ducks here usually, but this year has seen a huge increase of species including Pacific herons, spoonbills, teal ducks and darters…