Day 5, Rockhampton to Windorah

Date: Sunday 8th October 2023

Project: Eastern Australian Waterbird Survey

Observers: John Porter (NSW DPE), Shannon Dundas (NSW DPI) 

Trainee: Chris Sanderson (Qld DES)

Pilot: Thomas Clark

From Rockhampton we headed south to Callide Reservoir near Biloela which had low numbers of waterbirds, the majority were Wood Duck, Black Duck and Black Swans. Flying on past the shire of Banana we continued counting on small farm dams and natural wetlands and found low to moderate numbers of waterbirds. One small wetland was covered in beautiful waterlilies and supported hundreds of Magpie Geese; a flurry of gorgeous black and white birds wheeling over the waterlily blooms made a spectacular sight as we flew overhead.

Refuelling at Blackall, Qld

Conditions became increasingly dry as we continued west. Many of the shallow temporary wetlands were dry. The Barcoo river channels are mostly dry, with just a few tiny puddles of water and low numbers of waterbirds.

Weir pool near Moura

Water storage part 1

Water storage part 2

Barcoo River channels