Jul 2024 – Wetlands of North Canberra

On 7 July, Isobel Crawford led a group of 26 from Field Naturalists and the National Parks Association on an outing to visit wetlands of North Canberra. We compared 3 different wetlands – at Dickson, Lyneham and Banksia St, O’Connor. Isobel explained the origins and on-going development of each site. The walk was full of interest, and many participants later commented they were amazed to discover such new places in Canberra. Luckily the winter weather was kind to us. Thank you Isobel!

Thanks also to Sandra Henderson for a comprehensive list of bird sightings, including abundance (see below)

– John Stein

photo: Kevin McCue
photo: Kevin McCue
photo: Kevin McCue
photo: Kevin McCue

BIRD LIST

Dickson Wetland

Maned Duck: 9
Pacific Black Duck: 71
Hardhead: 6
Spotted Dove: 1
Crested Pigeon: 3
Eurasian Coot: 2
Little Pied Cormorant: 1
Galah: 6
Little Corella: 20
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo: 4
Australian King-Parrot: 3
Crimson Rosella: 2
Eastern Rosella: 3
Rainbow Lorikeet: 4
Noisy Miner: 3
Red Wattlebird: 1
Gray Butcherbird: 1
Australian Magpie: 3
Pied Currawong: 1
Magpie-lark: 7
Australian Raven: 1

Lyneham Wetland

Black Swans: 2, flew over, very high
Maned Duck: 20
Pacific Black Duck: 12
Gray Teal: 14
Hardhead: 28
Dusky Moorhen: 1
Eurasian Coot: 2
Australasian Swamphen: 5
Gang-gang Cockatoo: 8
Little Corella: 12
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo: 13
Australian King-Parrot: 2
Eastern Rosella: 1
Superb Fairywren: 3
Noisy Miner: 2
Spotted Pardalote: 2
Australian Magpie: 3
Pied Currawong: 1
Australian Raven: 1

Banksia Street Wetland, O’Conner

Maned Duck: 5
Crested Pigeon: 2
Galah: 2
Australian King-Parrot: 1
Eastern Rosella: 2
Noisy Miner: 7
Australian Magpie: 1
Australian Raven: 2

White-winged Choughs: 4

– Sandra Henderson