Hi all, i promised to update on the state of wetlands here on the Vic northern plains, once the major flooding had passed. The rain here has just kept going since the first flooding in early Sept, and many wetlands have been topped up more than once since then. Even as I write, a further 30 plus millimitres has fallen and no doubt more runoff will occur. The lakes along the Loddon and Avoca river systems have filled. Across the flat riverina plains closer to the Murray all the low lying ephemeral wetlands have been inundated, many of them quite small, but very productive. As has been commented on, ther are many birds missing, enjoying conditions further inland. Being very full the larger lakes ( eg Lake Bael Bael, ) have relatively few birds. As it dries over summer I imagine it will improve. One larger wetland that is more lively is Tragowel swamp, access just off Loddon valley highway a few kms south of Kerang. This swamp has lignum right through it and is quite shallow, so it will probably dry up quicker than some other lakes. There are loads of nesting duck, including Pink-eared, and Royal Spoonbills look like they are commencing to breed. Lots of Nativehen and Little Grassbirds. I imagine a big slosh around the swamp would turn up crakes and waders, maybe even Painted Snipe ?!! Of the smaller wetlands, a nice spot is Wilkinsons swamp just NW of Kamarooka forest. Viewable from the road there are some nice flooded canegrass areas. The Bendigo creek has flooded widely in that general area, areas to look at are from the ilkinsons swamp road, Tandarra elmore road, and Dingee rochester road. Futher north on the Patho plains nice little swamps are dotted around, eg Echuca serpentine road NE of Trimby road, Tomara dam on Martin/Tomara road, and some more open floods on the Terricks Gunbower road and the Mitiamo Kow swamp road.
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