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November 4, 2004; Over six thousand Glossy Ibis are currently using Fivebough to feed and as a roost area. Numbers at Fivebough Glossy Ibis normally increase at this time of year, but this season the increase has greater than previous years, having risen from ~1000 birds October 5.
Most birds feed outside the wetland in irrigated areas during the day and fly back into Fivebough during the last two hours of light until darkness falls.
October 6, 2004. Thousands of waterbirds are present at Fivebough.
Although water levels at Fivebough are not to the extent of 2003, many birds have arrived over the past four weeks.
Glossy Ibis numbers are ~400. A small number of Black Swans have begun to sit on nests, and given the lateness of their breeding
attempt the likelihood of success is low.
Magpie Geese were recorded September 23, with the last record in January 2001.
A pair of Painted Snipe were observed on the western margin of the permanent wetland, October 4.
Raptors continue to use the wetland. Species recorded October 1-4, were White-bellied Sea-eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Marsh Harrier,
Little Eagle, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Whistling Kite, Little Falcon, Brown Falcon, Nankeen Kestrel, Collared Sparrowhawk, and
Black-shouldered Kite.
September 7, 2004.
Summer migrant arrivals commence. Migratory waders from
the northern hemishere have begun returning to Fivebough and Tuckerbil during the
past five weeks. Northern migratory shorebirds/waders to arrive back to date are
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, and Wood Sandpiper.
Other waterbirds to return for this spring/summer are Glossy Ibis, Whiskered Tern,
Black-winged White Tern, and Australasian Bittern.
The Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists
are celebrating the society's 10th year.
An anniversary dinner will be held Saturday September 11,
and outings to Fivebough Swamp and the Brobenah Hills Sunday
morning September 12, 2004. Those interested in being part
of the activities contact the Trust.
July 30,
2004. Rain July 23 and 24 good for Fivebough Swamp The
swamp's water level is now similar to that of late July 2001 and 2003.
Management areas that have been grazed during the past six months
have had all stock removed for the season.
July 28, 2004. NSW Natural
Resources Commission (NRC)will meet with the members of
the Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands Trust and Murrumbidgee Field
Naturalists on Saturday August 14. The Fivebough meeting is part of
the NRC's tour of the Murrumbidgee Catchment.
June
7, 2004. Harriet the first Grey Teal released with a satellite
transmitter at Fivebough Swamp, September 2003, returned
June 7, 2004 after spending nine months in other wetland
habitats in the western Riverina region. Locations included
the Barmah on the Murray, and Yanco Creek. To check her
fight paths and locations, see David Roshier's link this
website.
June 29, 2004. Winter flooding of Fivebough Swamp's ephemeral
area has commenced
Most of the ephemeral wetland area now has a cover of water
after inflows from the catchment following reasonable rainfall
beginning late May and throughout June.
The northern portion of permanent wetland area continues
to be kept dry to allow the completion of walking trails
and fencing. Flooding of this area will commence late July/early
August.
Oct 26, 2004. The Ramsar Managers
Network annual field trip to Fivebough Swamp and
the Central Murray State Forests will be held October 26-28
2004.
Ramsar wetland managers from around Australia will be visiting
Fivebough Swamp and staying in Leeton October 27 and 28
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