Rare sighting at Deniliquin lagoon

Aug 24, 2021

They’re not rare in Australia, but they are in Deniliquin.

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Member of the Deniliquin Kolety Landcare Group and the community at large were excited to see three Magpie Geese sunning themselves in the McFaull Park lagoon behind Civic Place on Thursday afternoon.

Landcare group member and Edward Wakool Angling Association scientific officer Dr John Conallin said it is the ‘‘first time we can remember them coming to the lagoons’’.

‘‘Our local wetland ecologist Dan Hutton noticed them when walking along the lagoons,’’ Dr Conallin said.

‘‘Magpie Geese are usually associated with Northern Australia and big wetlands, not small lagoons like ours.

‘‘If you look at the three birds (in the photo provided) you will notice two have bumps on their heads; these are the males.

‘‘You can see by the photo that the bird and turtle platform we put in is a hit with so many birds. We have even had ibis breed there.

‘‘People will also notice that ducklings are showing up. The ducks actually don’t breed at the lagoons, but in the Island Sanctuary and then bring their young across.

‘‘All in all, it’s not just the fish that think the lagoons are looking great, it’s also the birds,’’ Dr Conallin said.

By McPherson Media Group