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Visited: summer
Recommendation: When I passed through this area, it had been affected by floods and access was difficult. That was a shame because you can just tell there is huge potential for wildlife spotting here. Next time!
I have been trying to avoid the Murray River as I travel south and east. There have been terrible floodings up and down the river in recent months. Despite my efforts I found myself at Murray Bridge crossing the river, heading to Swanport Wetlands. The river was very high and the wetlands closed for public safety. Nevertheless I poked around for a bit. I was hopeful as I saw my first Musk Lorikeets as soon as I arrived.
It was a short walk down to the river and the first thing I saw were martins nesting underneath the bridge. There was a lot of squabbling with some sparrows, who seemed intent into moving in to the ready made nests.
Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel)
To my right was a gate through to a grassed area in front of the river. I was a bit confused as there were also lots of signs threatening me with trespassing prosecution. A large notice clarified that a stretch of walkway about 3 metres wide and 200m long was public access. As I walked along it, I expected sniper fire from the mansions just up the slope if I stepped a centimetre off it. Not very welcoming but I was amused as there had obviously been a bitter battle about access which the home owners had lost. Poor them, having to allow us ordinary people to walk a short way along the river. It was all worth it as well, as I saw a Black-shouldered Kite sitting on a dead tree looking for prey.
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)
The wetlands themselves were on my left and despite the closed notice I did have a little poke around by the entrance. I could hear Australia Reed Warblers and Spotted Crake calling from the reedbeds. But mostly I saw Superb Fairywren. My luck has continued with the fairywren as these were my first superbs of the trip. They were bouncing everywhere and sat up all fluffy for me.
Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus)
Just as I was leaving, a family of swans floated across the river. They looked so fit and healthy, it was lovely. I only just learned that Australian Black Swans don't have the white in their wings like the New Zealand species does. How does that happen?
Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)
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