Jerrabomberra Wetlands

Sun 03 February 2019 07:30am

Chris Davey

To celebrate World Wetlands Day (2 February), 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. No booking required.

Post event report

The outing was organised to celebrate World Wetland Day and in particular the signing of the Ramsar Convention in Iran in 1971. The Convention was ratified by Australia in 1975 and there are now 66 listed sites within Australia with Ginini Flats Subalpine Bog Complex the only listed ACT site. To obtain listing there are various criteria including Criterion 5 – regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds – and Criterion 6 – regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird. For further information see

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ramsar_sites_in_Australia#Australian_Capital_Territory

The outing was held the day after the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Open Day at which COG ran a stall. Seven COG members and friends met at the Wetlands carpark at 7:30 for an outing which lasted about 3 hours. Interesting sightings included the resident Black-shouldered Kite, and a brood of Chestnut Teal ducklings competing for food with 2 broods of Grey Teal and a couple of young Pacific Black Duck. A single Nankeen Night-Heron flew over and 7 Latham’s Snipe were seen including a leg-flagged bird, No. 74. The day was warm and Australian Reed-Warblers and Golden-headed Cisticolas, although about, were very quiet. A single Little Grassbird was heard from a Typha patch in Kelly Swamp. Two adults and a single young Dollarbird were present and notable were the large number of Red-kneed Dottere working the mud on the shore opposite the various hides. Otherwise, it was a quiet and enjoyable walk with all of the regular birds present.

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