Waterbirds

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The team had some hard paddling to get through the Azolla, a tiny, native Australian freshwater fern (Image credit: William Hall).
Lower Balonne
Waterbirds
November 24, 2025

First Narran Lakes waterbird survey for the 2025-2026 water year

Flow-MER waterbird ground surveys were conducted at 10 sites in the Dharriwaa – Narran Lakes Nature Reserve in August 2025, the first for the 2025-2026 water year.

Jane Howard
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Macquarie Marshes, Southern Lagoon, pictured during the August waterbird surveys (Photo credit: NSW DCCEEW)
Macquarie River and Marshes
Waterbirds
November 24, 2025

First Macquarie Marshes waterbird survey for the 2025-2026 water year

Flow-MER waterbird ground surveys were conducted at 12 Macquarie Marshes sites in August 2025, the first for the 2025-2026 water year. Many parts of the Marshes were inundated, particularly in the northern nature reserve, creating feeding habitat for waterbird species.

Jane Howard
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An Australasian bittern in a Riverina wetland (courtesy of Matthew Herring, Murray Wildlife).
Gwydir
Waterbirds
November 7, 2025

Is the Australasian bittern returning to the Gwydir Wetlands?

In January 2025, researchers heard an endangered Australasian bittern in the Gwydir Wetlands, where the species had virtually disappeared. With only 1,300 left in Australia, they hope environmental flows will bring a breeding comeback.

Flow-MER
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Photo credit: Heather McGinness/CSIRO, CC BY-NC-ND
Basin-scale
Waterbirds
September 30, 2025

Following the flows: Flow-MER’s satellite bird tracking research

Researchers reveal how waterbirds cope with Australia’s highly variable climate and hydrology, and how they “chase the floods” across vast distances. By attaching tiny satellite-tracking backpacks to 200+ birds, the project gathered more than 50,000 bird‑days of tracking data.

Dr Heather McGinness
Dr Luke Lloyd-Jones
Dr Micha Jackson
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Featured image: Lower Balonne Flow-MER waterbird survey (L-R) Jennifer Spencer and Jo Ocock, Aug 2024. Credit: Dr. Kate Bandis, UNSW.
Lower Balonne
Waterbirds
February 17, 2025

Sounds of Narran: waterbirds calling at Narran Lakes (Dharriwaa) on the Lower Balonne floodplain

Acoustic recorders capture the diverse bird calls at Narran Lakes, revealing the rich avian life and helping scientists monitor and protect these vital wetlands.

UNSW Centre for Ecosystem Science
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Featured image: Turtles making the most of the Gingham Waterhole, 2015-16.
Gwydir
Waterbirds
February 4, 2025

The Guwayda (Gwydir) Wetlands: A decade of monitoring

A decade of monitoring in the Guwayda Wetlands reveals how environmental water supports diverse species, from frogs and fish to flowering coolibah trees.

Tamara Kermode
Rebecca Lamb
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Roxane Francis and Kate Brandis conducting waterbird surveys at Narran lakes. Source: Lucas James (CEWH).
Murrumbidgee
Waterbirds
January 18, 2024

Waterbird breeding in the Lower Murrumbidgee wetlands

Widespread flooding in 2022-23 triggered massive waterbird breeding events. Discover how environmental water releases ensured chicks' survival and success.

Dr Jennifer Spencer
Dr Kate Brandis
Dr Roxane Francis
Dr Sarah Talbot
Dr Anna Turner
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Featured Photo: Figure 1 Ephemeral wetlands were scattered across the floodplains adjacent to the Warrego-Darling/Baaka confluence. Photo credit: Jared Reid, 14 December 2022. Traditional Paakantyi Language of the Kurnu-Baakandji nation used in this article. (L. A. Hercus – Paakantyi Dictionary).
Darling and Warrego
Waterbirds
August 10, 2023

Commonwealth water for the environment supports breeding ducks in the Western Floodplain

In Toorale National Park, a wet year and targeted water management create ideal conditions for diverse duck species to breed and thrive.

Tamara Kermode
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A call recorder being set up. Image credit: L. Znidersic.
Murrumbidgee
Waterbirds
July 31, 2023

Investigating the water requirements of the endangered Australasian bittern

In the Lower Murrumbidgee Floodplain, researchers use automated call recorders to study the endangered Australasian bittern's breeding habits.

Dr Sarah Talbot
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Image credits: Heather McGinness.
Macquarie River and Marshes
Waterbirds
May 26, 2023

Exciting waterbird tracking update!

A juvenile Intermediate Egret, tracked from Australia to Papua New Guinea, reveals new insights into migration patterns and stopover sites.

Dr Heather McGinness
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The iconic Kularku (Brolga). Image credit: Ben Vincent.
Darling and Warrego
Waterbirds
June 14, 2022

Waterbirds on Toorale: What Have We Seen in 8 Years

Over eight years, 57 waterbird species, including the Kularku (Brolga), have been recorded in Toorale's wetlands, showcasing the area's rich biodiversity.

Tamara Kermode
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At its peak, the ibis colony on Gayini grew to approximately 36,000 birds. Photo credit: Roxane Francis.
Murrumbidgee
Waterbirds
May 25, 2021

A boom year for waterbirds in the Murrumbidgee

In the Lowbidgee Floodplain, tens of thousands of waterbirds are thriving, thanks to targeted environmental water releases and collaborative efforts.

Dr Jennifer Spencer
Dr Kate Brandis
Associate Professor Damian Michael
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Artwork credit: Wiradjuri Artist Rebecca Salcole
Acknowledgement of Country

The Flow-MER Program team acknowledges the First Nations communities of the Murray–Darling Basin and pays respect to Elders past and present.

We acknowledge First Nations people as the Traditional Owners of the land, water and sky Country across the Basin and value the expertise, wisdom and enduring connections that have informed their care for Country over millennia.

We recognise the intrinsic connection of First Nations people to Country, and we value the enduring cultural, social, environmental, spiritual, and economic connection to the rivers, wetlands, and floodplains of the Basin. We are committed to working with First Nations people across the Murray–Darling Basin to build relationships in a meaningful and genuine way to support and empower them in reaching their aspirations.

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Disclaimer

The information on this website is presented by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department) for the purposes of disseminating information to the public. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice.The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government or the Portfolio Ministers for the Department or indicate a commitment to a particular course of action.

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