Central Coast Wetlands - part two

One of the original cottages from the Pioneer Dairy days of yesteryear.  So nicely renovated too, by the volunteering teams.

On World Wetlands Day, in February,  a 'Breakfast with the Birds' is held here.  After a little birding, visitors take their folding chairs and gather with breakfast around the side verandah, and lawns alongside, followed by some more wetlands birding.  February can be one of our hottest months and those verandahs can offer a welcome respite from the elements.

Originally an un-named drainage line, in 2008, the Trust applied for the name change, to Pioneer Creek.  Signage indicates that the vegetation here is classified as Estuarine Swamp Oak Forest.

uh-oh, just be 'mindful' - we better not keep looking UP for birds, all the time

 



It reads: Red-bellied Black Snake (native to eastern Australia).  Though its venom is capable of causing significant morbidity, a bite from it is not generally fatal and less venemous than other deadly Australian snakes.  It is common in woodlands, forests and swamplands of eastern Australia.

It is a relatively large species of snake reaching an average total length of 1.5 to 2 metres, although an average sized specimen would be closer to 1.4m.  Like all Elapid snakes it is front fanged.  When threatened it flattens its neck to appear more frightening. (I'm thinking that's a fair warning....)

 

 Wading through the creek, Purple Swamp Hen (do they know about the snakes?)

 



Cumbungi country!  Not a problem here according to the sign; "Crakes and Buff-banded Rails feed amongst the stalks when the water recedes.  The seeds of the Cumbungi are an important food source for Black Ducks and Grey Teal.  The corms of the roots are eaten by Dusky Moorhens, Swamphens and Brolgas.  Threatened Species like Australasian and Australian Little Bitterns live in the Cumbungi reed beds where they feed on frogs and fish, while small insectivorous birds like Reed Warblers and Little Grassbirds feed and breed among leaves.

Dusky Moorhen

 various nesting boxes can be seen

 Bunya Pines

 wonder who started this?

Chestnut Teal