Community volunteers keep bird’s eye view of our waterways

The Northern Beaches is a haven for its diversity of native birds, with many avid ‘twitchers’ drawn to our bushland and waterways.

But for some locals, birdwatching is at a whole other level.

Behind the scenes we have passionate volunteers who are keeping a close eye on two of our precious lagoons at Manly and Curl Curl.

In fact, they have been tirelessly supporting the work that Council is doing by carrying out monthly surveys, collecting data on the number and diversity of water birds at both locations.

The surveys help understand and record the level of biodiversity in these areas, by looking at the abundance of native birdlife.

This information helps Council measure any changes that have occurred based on actions carried out, and use findings to improve the environment.

Council is also working to protect the ecological value of both areas with projects involving weed management, enhancing and regenerating vegetation and riparian corridors that support wildlife, with additional support from Bushcare volunteers.

The survey data will help to establish the effectiveness of these projects.

We spoke to Tom Hazell, a long standing Bushcare volunteer at Manly Lagoon who is also involved with the bird surveys.

What do you like most about volunteering at Manly Lagoon?

There is nothing better than getting out on the water early morning in our kayaks, binoculars in hand to take a look at which water birds are nesting, in flight or on the lagoon.

When did the bird surveys get started and who is involved?

After a trial in May 2019 with the support of Council’s Manly Environment Centre, we now have five regular volunteers in two or three watercraft. This can increase during the school holidays when we are joined by other locals and their children.   

How many species have been spotted since you started the survey?

We have sighted 29 different water bird species since we started, with monthly counts averaging close to 200 birds.

Which birds would you say are regulars at Manly Lagoon?

Some of our regulars include the Pacific Black Duck, Chestnut Teal, Dusky Moorhen, Swamphen, Eurasian Coot, Osprey, Darter, Pied Butcher, Little Black Cormorant and Great Cormorant. A favourite is the elusive Buff-banded Rail which moved in when we started bush regeneration along the riparian zone.

Another great feature is the rookery that is high up in some Casuarina trees for roosting and nesting Cormorants and Darters.

Which are some of the less frequent species you have spotted?

We did spot a Latham’s Snipe once, a migratory bird from Japan. They are remarkably difficult to see as they are so well camouflaged. We have also spotted a Nankeen Kestrel on a couple of occasions and we have visits from Pelicans and Black Swans, that I understand are sighted more often further north.