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It’s always a joy to see these magnificent wetland systems in full swing.  To do it we’ll fly across more 2,000 km of South Australia and northern New South Wales. A cool change has arrived as we depart Marree and there are plenty of threatening storm clouds.

West of White cliffs we survey a big cluster of natural claypans and bore fed wetlands – most are dry but checking each one is a laborious task and as we spend time crossing back and forth in the survey band.

The Paroo Overflow lakes and wetlands are our next target and as we arrive the weather starts to deteriorate with rain and low light making our counting job more difficult. Peery, Tongo, Yantabangee and Mullawoolka lakes are all full and we are kept busy covering all the water but waterbird numbers are low to moderate – mainly Grey Teal, Black Duck, Pink-eared Duck, Hardhead, Wood Duck, coot, herons, ibis, cormorants and a few terns and grebes.

Yantabangee Lake

Yantabangee Lake

Mullawoolka Basin

Tongo Lake

Yamaramie Lake

After refuelling at Bourke we continue east to the Macquarie Marshes – the water levels are reasonably high in the northern sections and we spend some time covering the inundated areas. There are moderate numbers of waterbirds, some flocks of egrets roosting and reasonable numbers of ducks, ibis, spoonbill, herons and Pelicans.