In April 2018, artists from South Australia and Victoria had a site visit to the Coorong and Port MacDonnell, organised by Diana Wiseman of Thumbprint Press in Mount Gambier. It was an amazing trip, bringing together artists from numerous print workshops in the two states. Mary Pulford, representing artist from Bittondi Press in Adelaide, wrote the following report.
The Overwintering Project: Coorong/Mt. Gambier Field Trip. Saturday 7th April
The Coorong visit started early, with the group of artists converging near Parnka Point. Comprising of Kate, Bronwyn and Judy from Melbourne, Ro and Robyn from Creswick, Diana from Mt. Gambier and Mary from Adelaide, we met the local parks ranger Chris and his partner Corinda. Refreshed with tea and Anzac biscuits, Chris introduced us to the Coorong.
Kurangk (meaning ‘long narrow neck’) is the name given to the area by the Ngarrindjeri people.The Coorong is a wetland of international importance, and is made up of a north and south lagoon, with associated sand dunes. Water flows into this area, which is located at the end of the Murray-Darling system, and therefore reliant on water flowing in from this system. Chris reported that the Coorong had been badly affected by low flows from the Murray. The salinity in North lagoon has been recorded at twice the salinity of seawater, with the South Lagoon five times saltier.
These low flows impact on the growth of Ruppia tuberosa, a submerged aquatic plant. This plant provides resources for the Coorong ecosystem including habitat, foraging substrates and food for herbivorous birds plus aquatic invertebrates and fish (which in turn become food for many of the migratory waders). Ruppia reproduces by both seeds and asexually by turions – a stalk part of the plant. Chris reported that the seed count from Ruppia was less than 20% in the South Lagoon. It is thought that algae may also affect the growth of Ruppia, which would then affect the waders feeding. Chris reported that local fishing had been badly affected by the environmental condition of the Coorong. Also that by observation, the bird population had reduced significantly over the last 30 years, and noticeably over the millennial drought years that we had recently.
Parnka Point is a unique junction between the north and south lagoon areas of the Coorong. Needle, Rabbit, Goat and Snake Islands provide habitat for a wide range of birds. This area is within the range of the endangered orange-bellied parrot (about 25 birds in the total wild population), emu wrens, firetails, elegant parrots and wedge-tailed eagles. From the balcony, we were lucky enough to spot a flock of Red-necked Stints (217 apparently!), and probably some Red-capped Plovers, as well as a fabulous view of the North Lagoon and Islands.
There is indigenous co-management of the park, which has been in place for about 5-6 years. Native title is in place from Salt Creek to Murray Bridge (Zone A), with the remaining area from salt Creek to be finalised, once zones have been confirmed.
Chris said that Avocet could usually be spotted at Villa dei Yumpa, and Pelicans at Jacks Point.
There was some discussion about The Overwintering Project, which aims to raise awareness about the value of land and the environment – especially land which is seen as not being ‘pretty’, and the migratory birds which are ‘invisible.’ There are studies of these migratory birds happening, with some birds being tagged and/or fitted with geo-locaters. The initial size of the geo-locater was 0.6g which has been reduced to 0.3g.
Taking the dirt road, with ripples shaped like a fish’s backbone, Chris introduced the group to Parnka Point. From the lookout area, we were lucky enough to spot pelicans in flight, soaring above us in the thermals. We also saw Lapwing, terns, black swans and assorted ducks. There were many edible native plants in the area including:
Kunzia (also known as Muntries) – berries.
Native pigface – the fruits were dried and eaten
Acacia – seeds crushed and made into cakes, sometimes with added berries, and used as a food source in hard times
Leucopogon parviflorus -fruits
Creeper vine – leaves are peppery, and used medicinally – when have a cold, this is hung around the neck.
Further information about South Australian Bush Tucker plants can be found at www.australianplantssa.asn.au/pages/australian-plants/general-articles/bush-tucker.php
There were no birds to be seen at the boat ramp area, excepting two emus walking along the base of the dunes opposite the ramp. Chris said that there is a fresh water soak at the base of these dunes opposite Parnka Point, and the emus and other wildlife will go there to drink. There were also the remains of 2 stumpy lizards.Opposite the lookout area, to the south, there were Avocet, a pair of Greenshanks, Gulls, White-faced Herons and Pied Oystercatchers.
Moving along, we had a brief stop near Woods Well on the Old Coorong Road, observing a flock of Avocet. Chris said that there used to be a round stone marked ‘good water here’, but that it had been removed. At this stage the group thanked Chris for his time and very informative tour. We had a brief stop at Chinaman’s Well, then Robe taking in the lovely Wilson’s Gallery, and The Obelisk, before heading on to Mt. Gambier for a well-earned nap.
Footnotes.
Ruppia tuberosa.There are several good articles about the ecology and monitoring of this species. Paton, Paton and Bailey have found that “In the last 40 or so years volumes of water reaching Murray mouth drastically reduced and the usual sprint peaks infrequent or non-existent.” Ecological character description for Ruppia tuberosa in the Coorong by David C. Paton, Fiona L. Paton and Colin P.Bailey (2015)https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/CLLMM_220_ECD%20for%20Ruppia%20Tuberosa_2015.pdfAnnual winter monitoring of Ruppia tuberosa in the Coorong region of SA. July 2016. David C. Paton, Fiona L. Paton and Colin P. Bailey. https://data.gov.au/dataset/9c0f3a2a-c9b9-43a3-9edf-9d198c87e6e0/resource/2b5189b3-6a02-45b7-9e14-37c8458d6094/download/milestone-1-ruppia-tuberosa-in-the-southern-coorong-summer--2015---2016.pdfInformation on birds of the Coorong:www.environment.sa.gov.au/.../BROCHURE_COORONG_WADERS.pdf
The Ramsar listing for the Coorong site is as follows:THE COORONG, LAKE ALEXANDRINA & ALBERT WETLANDThe Coorong, and Lakes Alexandrina & Albert Wetland. 01/11/85; South Australia; 142,530 ha; 35°56’S 139°18’E. National Park, Game Reserves and Crown Land; Shorebird Network Site. The site is located at the mouth of the River Murray, south east of the city of Adelaide. It consists of two lakes forming a wetland system at the river’s mouth and a long, shallow brackish-to-hypersaline lagoon which they feed into, separated from the ocean by a narrow sand dune peninsula. The lakes contain water of varying salinity and include a unique mosaic of 23 wetland types including intertidal mud, sand and salt flats, coastal brackish/saline lagoons and permanent freshwater lakes. The site is of international importance for migratory waterbirds and supports the greatest wealth of waterbird species in the Murray-Darling Basin. It hosts important nesting colonies of cormorants, plovers, ibises and terns, and also supports globally endangered species such as the Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) and the Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii). The site is popular for recreation activities include camping, boating, regulated duck hunting, and supports a range of commercial activities related to tourism, irrigated agriculture, and commercial fishing. The area is central to aboriginal culture and spiritual beliefs, and it is noted for its extensive sites of historic and geological importance. Ramsar site no. 321. Most recent RIS information: 2013.
The Overwintering Project: Coorong/Mt. Gambier Field Trip. Saturday 7th April
The Coorong visit started early, with the group of artists converging near Parnka Point. Comprising of Kate, Bronwyn and Judy from Melbourne, Ro and Robyn from Creswick, Diana from Mt. Gambier and Mary from Adelaide, we met the local parks ranger Chris and his partner Corinda. Refreshed with tea and Anzac biscuits, Chris introduced us to the Coorong.
Kurangk (meaning ‘long narrow neck’) is the name given to the area by the Ngarrindjeri people.The Coorong is a wetland of international importance, and is made up of a north and south lagoon, with associated sand dunes. Water flows into this area, which is located at the end of the Murray-Darling system, and therefore reliant on water flowing in from this system. Chris reported that the Coorong had been badly affected by low flows from the Murray. The salinity in North lagoon has been recorded at twice the salinity of seawater, with the South Lagoon five times saltier.
These low flows impact on the growth of Ruppia tuberosa, a submerged aquatic plant. This plant provides resources for the Coorong ecosystem including habitat, foraging substrates and food for herbivorous birds plus aquatic invertebrates and fish (which in turn become food for many of the migratory waders). Ruppia reproduces by both seeds and asexually by turions – a stalk part of the plant. Chris reported that the seed count from Ruppia was less than 20% in the South Lagoon. It is thought that algae may also affect the growth of Ruppia, which would then affect the waders feeding. Chris reported that local fishing had been badly affected by the environmental condition of the Coorong. Also that by observation, the bird population had reduced significantly over the last 30 years, and noticeably over the millennial drought years that we had recently.
Parnka Point is a unique junction between the north and south lagoon areas of the Coorong. Needle, Rabbit, Goat and Snake Islands provide habitat for a wide range of birds. This area is within the range of the endangered orange-bellied parrot (about 25 birds in the total wild population), emu wrens, firetails, elegant parrots and wedge-tailed eagles. From the balcony, we were lucky enough to spot a flock of Red-necked Stints (217 apparently!), and probably some Red-capped Plovers, as well as a fabulous view of the North Lagoon and Islands.
There is indigenous co-management of the park, which has been in place for about 5-6 years. Native title is in place from Salt Creek to Murray Bridge (Zone A), with the remaining area from salt Creek to be finalised, once zones have been confirmed.
Chris said that Avocet could usually be spotted at Villa dei Yumpa, and Pelicans at Jacks Point.
There was some discussion about The Overwintering Project, which aims to raise awareness about the value of land and the environment – especially land which is seen as not being ‘pretty’, and the migratory birds which are ‘invisible.’ There are studies of these migratory birds happening, with some birds being tagged and/or fitted with geo-locaters. The initial size of the geo-locater was 0.6g which has been reduced to 0.3g.
Taking the dirt road, with ripples shaped like a fish’s backbone, Chris introduced the group to Parnka Point. From the lookout area, we were lucky enough to spot pelicans in flight, soaring above us in the thermals. We also saw Lapwing, terns, black swans and assorted ducks. There were many edible native plants in the area including:
Kunzia (also known as Muntries) – berries.
Native pigface – the fruits were dried and eaten
Acacia – seeds crushed and made into cakes, sometimes with added berries, and used as a food source in hard times
Leucopogon parviflorus -fruits
Creeper vine – leaves are peppery, and used medicinally – when have a cold, this is hung around the neck.
Further information about South Australian Bush Tucker plants can be found at www.australianplantssa.asn.au/pages/australian-plants/general-articles/bush-tucker.php
There were no birds to be seen at the boat ramp area, excepting two emus walking along the base of the dunes opposite the ramp. Chris said that there is a fresh water soak at the base of these dunes opposite Parnka Point, and the emus and other wildlife will go there to drink. There were also the remains of 2 stumpy lizards.Opposite the lookout area, to the south, there were Avocet, a pair of Greenshanks, Gulls, White-faced Herons and Pied Oystercatchers.
Moving along, we had a brief stop near Woods Well on the Old Coorong Road, observing a flock of Avocet. Chris said that there used to be a round stone marked ‘good water here’, but that it had been removed. At this stage the group thanked Chris for his time and very informative tour. We had a brief stop at Chinaman’s Well, then Robe taking in the lovely Wilson’s Gallery, and The Obelisk, before heading on to Mt. Gambier for a well-earned nap.
Footnotes.
Ruppia tuberosa.There are several good articles about the ecology and monitoring of this species. Paton, Paton and Bailey have found that “In the last 40 or so years volumes of water reaching Murray mouth drastically reduced and the usual sprint peaks infrequent or non-existent.” Ecological character description for Ruppia tuberosa in the Coorong by David C. Paton, Fiona L. Paton and Colin P.Bailey (2015)https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/CLLMM_220_ECD%20for%20Ruppia%20Tuberosa_2015.pdfAnnual winter monitoring of Ruppia tuberosa in the Coorong region of SA. July 2016. David C. Paton, Fiona L. Paton and Colin P. Bailey. https://data.gov.au/dataset/9c0f3a2a-c9b9-43a3-9edf-9d198c87e6e0/resource/2b5189b3-6a02-45b7-9e14-37c8458d6094/download/milestone-1-ruppia-tuberosa-in-the-southern-coorong-summer--2015---2016.pdfInformation on birds of the Coorong:www.environment.sa.gov.au/.../BROCHURE_COORONG_WADERS.pdf
The Ramsar listing for the Coorong site is as follows:THE COORONG, LAKE ALEXANDRINA & ALBERT WETLANDThe Coorong, and Lakes Alexandrina & Albert Wetland. 01/11/85; South Australia; 142,530 ha; 35°56’S 139°18’E. National Park, Game Reserves and Crown Land; Shorebird Network Site. The site is located at the mouth of the River Murray, south east of the city of Adelaide. It consists of two lakes forming a wetland system at the river’s mouth and a long, shallow brackish-to-hypersaline lagoon which they feed into, separated from the ocean by a narrow sand dune peninsula. The lakes contain water of varying salinity and include a unique mosaic of 23 wetland types including intertidal mud, sand and salt flats, coastal brackish/saline lagoons and permanent freshwater lakes. The site is of international importance for migratory waterbirds and supports the greatest wealth of waterbird species in the Murray-Darling Basin. It hosts important nesting colonies of cormorants, plovers, ibises and terns, and also supports globally endangered species such as the Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) and the Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii). The site is popular for recreation activities include camping, boating, regulated duck hunting, and supports a range of commercial activities related to tourism, irrigated agriculture, and commercial fishing. The area is central to aboriginal culture and spiritual beliefs, and it is noted for its extensive sites of historic and geological importance. Ramsar site no. 321. Most recent RIS information: 2013.
The Overwintering Project: Day 2. Mt. Gambier/Port MacDonnell Sunday 8 April.
The day started bird spotting along the Port MacDonnell foreshore. With the tide out, we were able to walk both the beach and intertidal zones. There were a lot of ducks including Chestnut Teal and Pacific Black Ducks, and the comment was ‘Who knew that ducks liked salt water?’ Other than ducks, we managed to see a good variety of shorebirds including:
Lunch was held at the delicious Periwinkle Café, and we had a chance to meet more members of Mt. Gambier’s Thumbprint Studio (more information about this at https://www.facebook.com/printchapel/), including Anne and Jo, plus Bob and Rosemary from Portland Bay Press (information at https://www.facebook.com/Portland-Bay-Press-721969271246653/and http://imprint.org.au/postcards/portland-bay-press-a-postcard-by-kate-gorringe-smith/) Portland Bay Press also have a residency option at June Hedditch Apartment, with some information at https://www.facebook.com/junehedditchresidency/
Guest of honour and guide for the afternoon was Maureen Christie, local bird expert and involved with bird banding. Maureen recommends shorebird watching when the tide is in, as the birds are likely to be roosting near the shore, rather than wading far out on mud flats or intertidal zones.
Maureen took the group to Frenchman’s Point, located to the east of Port MacDonnell. This was a rocky beach area, with the main rocks being chalcedony – the black stone within limestone, and is a very hard stone. This has previously been exported to Broken Hill, to assist with crushing ore. Maureen pointed out Sea Rocket, which had purple flowers. The seeds are food for the Orange-bellied parrot. Maureen reported that there had been debate over whether this plant had been imported from South Africa, but the conclusion was that the plant had arrived in Australia naturally.
Migratory shorebirds which travel the furthest north, have to wait for the thaw, and leave Australia the latest. Those birds which breed in other countries along the flyway (for example, Japan) can leave earlier, as weather conditions should be suitable when they arrive.
The Red Knot, has been banded and studied. So far it has been found that Red Knot populations east of Melbourne travel to Alaska. Populations in the North-west of Western Australia travel to Siberia. It is not know where the population of St. Vincent Gulf travel to, and banding is/will be carried out to find out their overwintering destination.
We observed:
We then moved on to Stony Point, just past Racecourse Bay to the east of Port MacDonnell. Bronwyn found the remains of a weedy seadragon. Diana reported that quite a few of these wash up on these southern beaches. Maureen said that there are up to five types of cormorants found here (Little Pied – yellow beak with white chest, Little Black- black all over, Great – nearly all black with yellow on beak, Pied – yellow on face and wears black trousers and Black-faced Cormorants- wears black trousers and no yellow on face).
We observed:
This ended the main part of the weekend. I’d like to thank Kate for coming up with this fabulous project. Not only does it raise awareness about migratory shorebirds, but also threats to the vulnerable environment they rely on. This was also a chance for printmakers (often solitary creatures) to come together, with members from Firestation Studio, Portland Bay Press, Thumb Print Inc. and Bittondi Printmakers Association joining in for the weekend. I’d also like to thank Diana Wiseman from Thumbprint for helping to organise the Mt. Gambier section of the weekend.
If you haven’t made a print for The Overwintering Project core exhibitions, there is still time, and details can be found here.
Many thanks Mary for this amazing and detailed report! photos to come......
The day started bird spotting along the Port MacDonnell foreshore. With the tide out, we were able to walk both the beach and intertidal zones. There were a lot of ducks including Chestnut Teal and Pacific Black Ducks, and the comment was ‘Who knew that ducks liked salt water?’ Other than ducks, we managed to see a good variety of shorebirds including:
- Red-necked Stints – one of which had been banded with a coloured flag. The Shorebirds Identification booklet (second edition) contains information from the Australasian Wader Studies Group (AWSG), and the flag combinations. The bird I photographed had an orange flag on the upper leg, yellow flag on the lower leg, meaning it was first banded in South Australia. For those of you who are keen, flagged shorebird sightings can be recorded at the AWSG webpage. This webpage also contains information about flyways, migration, plus publications on research of shorebirds/the environment (awsg.org.au).
- Ruddy Turnstones (with breeding plumage – this means that they showed bold black, red and brown markings, compared with the dull non-breeding plumage of white, grey and brownish-grey). Ruddy Turnstones have been observed sticking to their place as the tide comes in, and bobbing up again as the wave passes.
- Black Swans.
- Straw-necked Ibis
- Australian White Ibis
- Double-banded Plovers – these are the only migratory shorebirds to complete an east-west migration. Those present in Port MacDonnell are likely to have flown from the south island of New Zealand. Research suggests that the North Island birds stay for the New Zealand winter.
- Crested Terns
- Seagulls
- Pelicans
Lunch was held at the delicious Periwinkle Café, and we had a chance to meet more members of Mt. Gambier’s Thumbprint Studio (more information about this at https://www.facebook.com/printchapel/), including Anne and Jo, plus Bob and Rosemary from Portland Bay Press (information at https://www.facebook.com/Portland-Bay-Press-721969271246653/and http://imprint.org.au/postcards/portland-bay-press-a-postcard-by-kate-gorringe-smith/) Portland Bay Press also have a residency option at June Hedditch Apartment, with some information at https://www.facebook.com/junehedditchresidency/
Guest of honour and guide for the afternoon was Maureen Christie, local bird expert and involved with bird banding. Maureen recommends shorebird watching when the tide is in, as the birds are likely to be roosting near the shore, rather than wading far out on mud flats or intertidal zones.
Maureen took the group to Frenchman’s Point, located to the east of Port MacDonnell. This was a rocky beach area, with the main rocks being chalcedony – the black stone within limestone, and is a very hard stone. This has previously been exported to Broken Hill, to assist with crushing ore. Maureen pointed out Sea Rocket, which had purple flowers. The seeds are food for the Orange-bellied parrot. Maureen reported that there had been debate over whether this plant had been imported from South Africa, but the conclusion was that the plant had arrived in Australia naturally.
Migratory shorebirds which travel the furthest north, have to wait for the thaw, and leave Australia the latest. Those birds which breed in other countries along the flyway (for example, Japan) can leave earlier, as weather conditions should be suitable when they arrive.
The Red Knot, has been banded and studied. So far it has been found that Red Knot populations east of Melbourne travel to Alaska. Populations in the North-west of Western Australia travel to Siberia. It is not know where the population of St. Vincent Gulf travel to, and banding is/will be carried out to find out their overwintering destination.
We observed:
- Red-necked Stints
- Ruddy Turnstones
- Double-banded plovers
- Red-capped Plover
- Sooty Oystercatchers
- Pied Oystercatchers
- Grey-tailed Tattler
- Golden Plover
We then moved on to Stony Point, just past Racecourse Bay to the east of Port MacDonnell. Bronwyn found the remains of a weedy seadragon. Diana reported that quite a few of these wash up on these southern beaches. Maureen said that there are up to five types of cormorants found here (Little Pied – yellow beak with white chest, Little Black- black all over, Great – nearly all black with yellow on beak, Pied – yellow on face and wears black trousers and Black-faced Cormorants- wears black trousers and no yellow on face).
We observed:
- Black-faced Cormorant
- Little Pied Cormorant
- Royal Spoonbill
- Pelicans
- White-faced Heron
- Australian Ibis
- Oystercatchers
- Ducks.
- Masked lapwing
This ended the main part of the weekend. I’d like to thank Kate for coming up with this fabulous project. Not only does it raise awareness about migratory shorebirds, but also threats to the vulnerable environment they rely on. This was also a chance for printmakers (often solitary creatures) to come together, with members from Firestation Studio, Portland Bay Press, Thumb Print Inc. and Bittondi Printmakers Association joining in for the weekend. I’d also like to thank Diana Wiseman from Thumbprint for helping to organise the Mt. Gambier section of the weekend.
If you haven’t made a print for The Overwintering Project core exhibitions, there is still time, and details can be found here.
Many thanks Mary for this amazing and detailed report! photos to come......