Macquarie Marshes
| Designations | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Macquarie Marshes |
| Designated | 1 August 1986 |
| Reference no. | 337[1] |
The Macquarie Marshes comprise the
waterbirds
, especially in the aftermath of major floods.
Description
The marshes consist of a system of freshwater channels and streams, some of which are permanent following construction of water regulation devices, with semi-permanent and ephemeral swamps and floodplains. The extent of the marshes varies according to the extent of flooding. The historical maximum flooding of 4,780 square kilometres (1,850 sq mi) was recorded in the mid-1950s; since then flooding has become both less frequent and less extensive. Most of the area covered by the marshes is used as
river red gum forest and woodland, extensive beds of common reed, and meadows of water couch. Daily temperatures in the area vary from about 4 °C (39 °F) in July to 36 °C (97 °F) in January, with an average annual rainfall of 300 millimetres (12 in) to 400 millimetres (16 in).[2]
Fauna
The marshes support at least eight native and six introduced mammals, with 56 species of reptile, 15 species of frog and 16 species of freshwater fish.[2]
Birds
The Macquarie Marshes have been identified by
Australian painted snipes, superb parrots, painted and pied honeyeaters have been recorded in the IBA.[2]
References
- ^ "Macquarie Marshes". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Macquarie Marshes". Important Bird Areas factsheet. BirdLife International. 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
- ^ "Macquarie Marshes". Birdata. BirdLife Australia. 2007. Archived from the original (searchable database) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve.
- "Macquarie-Bogan River catchment" (map). Office of Environment and Heritage. Government of New South Wales.
- The Macquarie Marshes: An Ecological History, Institute of Public Affairs Occasional Paper, 2007, by Gillian Hoggendyk. Retrieved 9 March 2014.