Southern New England Landcare will host a community gathering to celebrate United Nations International World Wetlands Day, at the Mother of Ducks Lagoon, Guyra, from 8am - 10am, Wednesday 2nd February 2022.
Image: Latham's Snipe gallinago hardwickii. Courtesy of ebird.
Struan Ferguson, Southern New England Landcare Coordinator said, “We are excited to be hosting this event, as the 2nd of February 2022 is the first year that World Wetlands Day will be observed as a United Nations international day, following its adoption by the General Assembly on 30th August 2021.”
“This is the second community gathering we’ve hosted, in partnership with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, to further the development of the Mother of Ducks Landcare Group, after unanimous endorsement by the group at a community event we hosted last year”, she said.
The Mother of Ducks Lagoon and its immediate surrounds is a threatened ecological community. It is an upland wetland providing a unique habitat for the many birds, animals and plants that need shallow wetlands to flourish.
Struan says, “We are fortunate to have Dr Stephen Debus as our guest expert on the day, so community members will have an opportunity to learn more about the birds that use this precious natural feature” Struan said.
Dr Stephen Debus, an Ornithologist from the University of New England, will speak on the special birds that live and visit the lagoon, and lead the group in bird watching.
Stephen says, “Of particular significance is the Latham’s Snipe, also known as the Japanese Snipe, a medium-sized, long-billed, migratory snipe of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.”
“It migrates from its breeding grounds in northern Japan and parts of eastern Russia to the Mother of Ducks Lagoon, among other wetlands along Australia’s east coast, from September to March” he said.
“Even though Latham's Snipe is the largest snipe in Australia, they are remarkably difficult to see. They are so well camouflaged, they blend into the background until, with a loud krek! they suddenly burst from their hiding place, only to land somewhere nearby where they become instantly invisible again,” he said.
International World Wetlands Day highlights the importance of actions that ensure that wetlands are conserved and sustainably used. It’s an appeal to invest financial, human and political capital to save the world’s wetlands from disappearing, and to restore those we have degraded.
Struan says, “Many of these upland wetlands on the Northern Tablelands have been damaged in the past, some irreparably, and even Mother of Ducks has been altered significantly”, she said.
“Nevertheless, it remains an important habitat and provides such pleasure to locals and visitors alike because it is beautiful and very accessible being situated on the edge of Guyra and very near the New England Highway”, she said.
All are welcome to enjoy brunch together overlooking the lagoon and discuss future activities at the Mother of Ducks Lagoon Picnic Area, McKie Parkway, Guyra.
BYO: sturdy boots, hat, sunscreen, water, and binoculars.
Tickets are essential at www.stickytickets.com.au/38GAC. Please ensure you book a ticket before 9am on Tuesday, 1st February, when the offer closes.
COVID-19 Safe check-ins and proof of vaccination required for all those attending.
Anyone interested in being involved should become a member of Southern New England Landcare. Our membership iis free and you will receive regular eNews updates about coming events, and advice on new grants as they become available.
More information www.snelandcare.org.au or by phoning the office: 02 6772 9123.
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Media Contact – Struan Ferguson, mob. 0411 297 644.
