Wildlife of the Lower Silvermine Wetlands

The past two months (Christmas Season 2010-2011) have been quiet at the Lower Silvermine Wetlands.

Sadly a large male otter was killed while crossing Main Road, which is a double tragedy as we don’t think the otter population here is large.

Of particular concern is the apparent decrease of frogs in the Wetlands.  Frogs are an important eco-indicator, showing whether the wetland is healthy or not.  Although our water quality tests indicate good quality water, there is a marked decrease in the number of frogs!  In fact, we haven’t heard any sand frogs this year and there used to be a large number.  The arum lily frog, never abundant here, seems to have dropped from 8 calls heard to 1 in the last two years.  Whether this is a cyclical event or due to other factors, we don’t know.  Any comments or information would be welcome.

There has also been a dramatic decrease in the number of wading birds.  This may be due to the fact that the reeds are growing at a very fast rate.  We used to have about 20 yellow billed ducks, and haven’t seen any in the last year.  No ibis have been seen for some time, and birds like snipe, spoonbills and avocets haven’t been seen for some years.  Although we have seen a rufous breasted sparrowhawk for the first time, this could be due to the large growth of alien vegetation west of the Pipe bridge.  This is any area that the City hasn’t had the budget to clear, and the Riverine Rovers do not work in that area nor have they the resources to do so.

Our Dog Poo bag dispensers seem to be working well and it is with relief that we are experiencing a decrease in the amount of dog poo on the paths.

Some of the paths have been resurfaced by the City, but not well, as they are already breaking up – after just 2 months.

Evanne Rothwell of Riverine Rovers

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