To celebrate World Wetlands Day, during this morning outing we will visit Kelly Swamp and Jerrabomberra Creek. Depending on numbers, the group may be divided into two, so a volunteer to lead a possible second group would be appreciated. Bring hat, sunscreen, water and, if you have one, a telescope. Meet at 7.30am in the carpark at the end of Dairy Road, Fyshwick.
NB: this walk is flat and is wheelchair-friendly.
Please register at liabattisson@grapevine.com.au with your name and number, and the name and number of an emergency contact.
Seventeen people at 7:30 am for this field trip to celebrate World Wetlands Day. We split the group temporarily whilst we went into hides but we regrouped at the south-east corner of Kellys Swamp. There was some light rain as we set out in a clockwise direction, but fortunately we were in the hides when the heaviest shower occurred. Grass and reeds were very dense in the water, but in the open patches of the swamp we managed to see all three species of waterhen, several White-faced Herons, Little Pied and Little Black Cormorants and a few ducks. A pair of Black Swans were busily feeding five very new cygnets and there were lots of recently fledged Dusky Moorhen. No Latham’s Snipe were seen until we were on the Billabong Loop Track. Four flushed from the burnt grass on the left of the track and a further two were seen by the creek just before we arrived at the boardwalk. Australian Reed-Warblers were active across the Nature Reserve and several Australasian Darters and a couple of Australian Pelicans were observed on the Cceek. The leader narrowly escaped an embarrassing incident when she was attacked by meat ants whilst scanning for the elusive Tawny Frogmouths. In all, 50 species were recorded, including a Dollarbird on the wires at the Kingston end and two Royal Spoonbills, which flew over whilst we were saying our goodbyes.
