Lower Balonne May 2025 Waterbird Survey

Lower Balonne May 2025 waterbird survey

A fifth Flow-MER waterbird survey was conducted at Narran Lakes Nature Reserve in May 2025. View our photo gallery of the team in the field.

Water levels were high at all sites as they are all influenced by the Narran River. We recorded mixed flocks of large waders feeding in flooded grassland, including straw-necked ibis, Australian white ibis, royal spoonbills and eastern great egret. A black-necked stork was observed feeding near Long Arm and flying to a nest at South Arm. Small groups (~10-15) of white-faced herons were recorded flying overhead.

The open water on Clear Lake and Back Lake was generally quiet. The main species recorded here were Australasian darters, Eurasian coots, pied cormorants and Pacific black ducks. Pink-eared ducks and great crested grebes were recorded in low numbers on Clear Lake with small flocks of black-winged stilts foraging on the flooded margins.

Observed waterbird activity was highest in flooded grassland and could also be heard within the lignum. Hundreds of waterfowl, ibis and cormorants (>500) would occasionally flush, particularly around Long Arm and South Arm.

Salt Lake, a rain fed wetland, was moderately full. One musk duck and a group of Australasian and hoary-headed grebes were recorded there along with large waders feeding along the edge. This included straw-necked ibis, eastern great egret, white-faced heron and white-necked heron.

Salt Lake - The survey was conducted by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) on behalf of the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Flooded edges at Long Arm in the northern part of the reserve.

Long Arm

Long Arm - Straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) in flight

Back Lake (northern section)

Back Lake (western edge)

Pelican Lagoon north of Clear Lake. Paddling out to check on solar bars in the Lignum

Pelican Lagoon north of Clear Lake. Paddling out to check on solar bars deployed in the lignum.

Clear Lake (southern section)

Researcher standing in water with a monocular

Clear Lake

Wetland with a tree and some vegetation growing in it

Clear Lake

Wetland with a small tree and vegetation in the distance

Clear Lake

Two people standing on a water channel bank

South Arm - our team finishing the final surveys of the day.

Solarbar in water with vegetation on the banks

South Arm recorder - water levels getting a little too close to the top of our recorders!

Very small frog with hand next to it showing it is size of a thumbnail

Rainfed pond- Crucifix frog (Notaden bennettii) a very colourful burrowing frog that aren’t often seen. This species digs themselves down into mud and only surface in response to significant rainfall. Rainfall from previous weeks has created a number of shallow ponds across the park.

Our thanks to NSW NPWS for supporting our surveys.

All photos supplied courtesy of NSW DCCEEW.

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Lower Balonne May 2025 waterbird survey