Byron Bay Wetlands
The Byron Bay Wetlands consist of reed beds and ponds in a restored melaleuca swampland, formed by the planting of more than half a million trees. The wetland provides the final treatment for the Byron Bay Sewerage Treatment Plant outflow. The 100 ha reserve is home to over 200 bird species, one of New South Wales highest bird lists.
Link to “Birds of the Byron Wetlands”
Photo: A common bird of the wetland’s reed beds, the Golden-headed Cisticola can be recognised by the dark streaks on its back and distinctive buzzing song.
Black-winged Stilts add an elegant air to the shallow ponds of the wetland.
The colours of the White-necked Heron are shown to advantage in the early morning sun, foraging in a shallow pond.
Little Grassbirds are more often heard than seen, their mournful whistle heard at distance across the reed beds. But at some times of the year the Little Grassbirds come out in force, skipping across and feeding on their favourite water plants.
The Australian Reed-Warbler has long legs, a flat head and long bill. It also has a loud and jolly call.
At certain times of the year, the Tawny Grassbird is often seen in the wetlands. It draws attention to itself with a squeaky call.
Forest Kingfishers are a common sight, this young bird showing some adolescent colouring.
Here seen in the swamp’s dark waters, the Royal Spoonbill feeds amongst trees that burnt in a recent fire. Fortunately only a small area of the wetland was affected.
A frequent visitor, the Black-fronted Dotterel prefers wetland’s mud-flats.
Less commonly seen is the Spotless Crake, here keeping close to thick cover at the pond edge early in the morning.
Baillon’s Crake is another less frequently seen water bird. Lewin’s Rails and the Australian Spotted Crakes are also heard or seen from time to time.
More frequently seen is the Comb-crested Jacana, well adapted to walking and feeding across the water lilies and weeds.
Trawling in a small pond, the presence of a Little Pied Cormorant attests to the food available.
No Australian waterland would be complete without its Pacific Black Ducks.
A regular but less common visitor, the Glossy Ibis.
Two Sharp-tailed Sandpipers pass through on their spring return from the northern hemisphere.
A wetland regular, the Intermediate Egret feeds close to the larger ponds.
The Whistling Kite. Other raptors regularly seen include White-bellied Sea-Eagles, Black-shouldered Kites, Swamp Harriers and Grey Goshawks
Another wetland regular, the White-faced Heron.
The spectacular Azure Kingfisher adds a flash of colour.
It seems so unlikely that trees that grow with their feet in water would burn in a bush-fire but that is what happened here last year. The open space that followed the fire are appreciated by this Forest Kingfisher.
Willie Wagtails are ever present, with their happy voice and friendly nature.
Another resident, a Great Egret moves to a new spot to feed.
In the reed beds, finches include this Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, Red-browed Finches and the Double-barred Finch.
The beautiful tinkling descant of the White-throated Gerygone is often part of the wetland’s bird song chorus.
Whistlers include this female Rufous Whistler, the Golden Whistler and the Grey Shrike-thrush.
The male Rufous Whistler.
A female Cicadabird, a plainish bird from a distance, more often recognised by its Cicada like call.
A regular often seen at the wetlands Interpretive Centre and meeting room, the Restless Flycatcher. Leaden Flycatchers are also often seen.
This Eastern Whipbird was one of four chasing and calling in an early season courtship ritual.
Cuckoos regularly present include this Shining Bronze Cuckoo, the Fan-tailed Cuckoo, the Brush Cuckoo, and Pheasant Coucal.
This Spangled Drongo looks like it has had its beak in the mud but its plumage is glowing.
Scarlet Honeyeaters seen above and Brown Honeyeaters abound when the malaleucas flower. Other common honeyeaters include the White-cheeked Honeyeater and Lewin’s Honeyeater.
The beautiful Rainbow Bee-eater.
A less common visitor, the LIttle Bronze Cuckoo. The Northern Rivers region attracts a lot of species like the Little Bronze Cuckoo at the southern end of the species’ range.
Another regular, the Striped Honeyeater, announces itself with its distinctive call.
The White-headed Pigeon, a common bird here due to the proliferation of the introduced Camphor Laurel tree in the Byron shire.
The Bar-shouldered Dove. Other pigeons include the Spotted Turtle-Dove, Crested Pigeon, Topknot Pigeons and less commonly are Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves and Peaceful Doves.