Favourite Birding Spot #2 Swanport Reserve
This is the second in a series of articles I plan to post about my favourite birding spots. The first article can be read here.
Swanport Reserve
This reserve is about 5km south of the Murray Bridge CBD in rural South Australia. The local council has set aside this reserve on the banks of the Murray River as a picnic area. The area is about two acres in size and is mainly lawn with a scattering of River Red Gums and a few other trees, making it a lovely shady place in the summer. There is a safe swimming beach approximately 60 metres in length. A part of the beach is set aside for fishing.
Noisy Miner at Swanport Reserve
Over the years this reserve has become one of our favourite picnic destinations; it is only a ten-minute easy drive from home. I have lost count of the number of times we have taken fish and chips or chicken and chips there for a picnic lunch or tea. And as always, the thermos and tea bags are always handy too. Sitting in a picnic chair watching the river traffic go by has to be one of the more relaxing ways of spending a few hours on a lovely day or a summer’s evening. What is more, the bird life rarely disappoints.
The Birds of Swanport Reserve
Over the years I have recorded 72 species of birds on my visits to the reserve. Naturally, the waterbirds are well represented. This includes four species of cormorants, the Little Pied being the most common. One almost always sees several Australian Pelicans, Straw-Necked and White Ibis, and several White-faced Herons. Of the ducks, the most common would be the Pacific Black Duck and the Australian Wood Duck though I have seen both Mallards and Grey Teal.
Grebes
Interestingly, I have only once observed a single Great Crested Grebe at Swanport and never the Hoary Headed nor the Australasian Grebe, both common species in this area. The Great Crested is not regularly seen in this part of SA.
Other Waterbirds
Almost always one is able to see the Eurasian Coot swimming near the bank and Purple Swamphens skulking along on their long legs. Dusky Moorhens are also seen from time to time, trailing a string of little ones paddling furiously trying to keep up with mum and dad. Black-tailed Native Hens come and go, sometimes there are dozens of them but often none at all. Once I saw a Black-fronted Dotterel, another species widespread but not numerous in this area.
Gulls and Terns
Silver Gulls are always flying past, sometimes in loose flocks of two or three up to several dozen. Single Caspian Terns regularly patrol up and down the river, as do Crested Terns and Whiskered Terns.
Raptors
Whistling Kites, Little Eagles and Black Kites are almost always present and regularly breed in the taller trees along the river banks. The Whistling Kites mournful calls can be heard as they patrol to river banks and nearby dairy farm swamps and wetlands. Swamp Harriers and Spotted Harriers also occur here as does the small Black-shouldered Kite.
Pigeons, Doves
There is a huge population of feral pigeons (Rock Doves) along the river. They seem to nest and breed prolifically underneath the three bridges which cross the river at Murray Bridge. They are also a pest in many of the town’s buildings and they also utilise the hollows in some of the old-growth eucalypts along the river. Flocks of 20-100 can be seen flying along the river at any time of the day. More pleasant at Swanport are the Peaceful Doves, their cooing on a still summer’s day adding to the atmosphere of relaxation. Crested Pigeons are plentiful as are the introduced Spotted Turtle-Doves.
Parrots
Flocks of 100s of Little Corellas and Galahs are often seen along the river it this area. The noisy and gregarious Corellas can undo the peacefulness of the reserve as they fly overhead. Other parrots include Red-rumped Parrots, Rainbow Lorikeets and Purple-Crowned Lorikeets and I once recorded two Yellow Rosellas. This sub-species of the Crimson Rosella is normally found much further upstream; my record seems to be one of those occasional odd sightings.
Honeyeaters
Red Wattlebirds and White-plumed Honeyeaters are common in and around the reserve. New Holland Honeyeaters and Singing Honeyeaters are also present and Noisy Miners (see photo above) are everywhere.
Picnic at Swanport Reserve, Murray Bridge
Other birds
There are many more species to see at Swanport Reserve. 100s of Welcome Swallows swoop low over the river. Australian Magpies and Magpie Larks patrol the lawns looking for a feed. Willie wagtails and Superb Fairy-wrens are always present and Australian Reed-Warblers can be heard in the reeds lining the river bank. Both the Laughing Kookaburra and the Sacred Kingfisher are resident species.
An Anomaly
This reserve is at the historic settlement of Swanport. In all of my visits, I have only ever once seen a Black Swan there! They are much more common further upstream at another wetlands area.
Related Articles and Links:
Post updated on 30th May, 2017.
Little Pied Cormorant
No Comments »14th July, 2006; Category: Waterbirds
On our recent visit to the Wittunga Botanic Gardens in the Adelaide Hills I was not surprised to observe two Little Pied Cormorants sitting on the dead limbs of trees. Little Pieds are very common throughout Australia where suitable habitat exists. Here they were taking advantage of the large artificial lake in the middle of the gardens.
Little Pied Cormorant
This photo is not a close up but I still like it anyway. I particularly like the blurred reflections and colours in the water. The the effects of the reflections on the water of the dead branches on which it is perched it are also particularly pleasing.
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Looking down on the birds
Today we were invited to have lunch at the home of friends of ours. We are always delighted to visit them as their house is built on a cliff top overlooking the River Murray. From the balcony outside their lounge room one has a 180 degree panoramic view over the river and associated dairy farm flats on the other side of the river. The passing river traffic, including several large touring boats, is fascinating to watch.
Birding at Cliff Top Level
An added bonus is watching the abundant bird life on, along and near the river. Several Australian Pelicans lazily glided upstream before landing to paddle sedately on the river. Welcome Swallows skimmed low over the water, occasionally swooping high up over the cliffs and past where we sat. Two Whistling Kites soared past just a few metres blow us ; it was interesting to see their lovely plumage from above, rather than the usual view from below. Silver Gulls were seen flying upstream, this time only in singles rather than a flock. I have seen Caspian Terns and Crested Terns in this locality but none were seen today. I also failed to see any of the Cormorant species usually seen around here, nor did I see any Darters.
Garden Birds
In the garden below the balcony we saw many House Sparrows, New Holland Honeyeaters, Red Wattlebirds and several Singing Honeyeaters. Two Black-Faced Cuckoo-Shrikes came to pay a brief visit as the passed through the garden. Below us a small family of Superb Blue Wrens was hopping around on the ground and in a nearby bush. Unfortunately they didn’t approach close to us. I didn’t get a glimpse of any males in full colourful plumage.
Relaxing Afternoon
It was a relaxing afternoon with a wonderful view. The morning had been very frosty but we were able to enjoy some warming winter sun on the balcony in the afternoon.
Next time I must remember my camera!
Pelican Attacks
While watching the local news last night I was interested in one item relating to birds. At Waikerie in the Riverland area of South Australia two people were on the river bank fishing. According to the report one of the local pelicans came up and attacked the person fishing from his wheelchair, knocking him into the water. The victim’s friend came to the rescue, holding his head out of the water with one hand while ringing for an ambulance with his free hand.
This is not an isolated incident. Years ago I heard of a rogue pelican at Renmark, about an hour’s drive upstream from Waikerie. This pelican had been harassing people have picnics on the lawns in front of the hotel. There was even a report of a small dog being eaten by this pelican.
More recently, my daughter-in-law nearly lost her lunch when confronted by a pelican on the riverfront lawns at Mannum, which is further downstream. It was quite scarey for all of us sitting on the picnic seat. A fully grown pelican is quite a confronting beast about a metre from your face!
Australian Pelican
Related articles:
- Beware of the pelican
- Pelicans, Shelducks and Teal
- Australian Pelicans
- Pelicans – a list of articles about pelicans from my archives.
Darter at Tailem Bend
No Comments »22nd May, 2006; Category: Waterbirds
I recently had a short break for a cuppa on the banks of the River Murray in Tailem Bend, about a twenty minute drive from home in Murray Bridge. While we enjoyed the bright sunshine we were entertained by the passing parade of birds. About 300 Silver Gulls were resting on the lawn area near us. On the river we saw Little Pied and Little Black Cormorants as well as a number of Pacific Black Ducks and Eurasian Coots. A single Australian Pelican could be seen just north of the Ferry crossing the river.
Darter
In the water nearby I observed a Darter, with another one drying its wings on a tree on the river bank. The Darter, also called a Snake Bird, is widespread throughout Australia. It is my observation that it is not common anywhere. I have rarely seen more than two at a time. Its alternative common name, Snake Bird, comes from its appearance when fishing in the water. Unlike many other water birds, the Darter’s body is mostly submerged when it is swimming. With its long, snake-like neck poking above the water as it comes up to breathe, it looks, at first glance, just like a snake swimming along on the surface of the water.
Wing Drying
Like the cormorant family of birds, the Darter must emerge from the water from time to time in order to dry its feathers which are not water resistant. On the occasions when I have been able to approach a Darter drying its wings I have noticed that it waves its long neck around in the manner of a snake. This could be another reason for its other common name.
Other Birds
I also observed a range of other birds in the time we had our picnic. Quite a few Straw-Necked Ibis were feeding on a freshly ploughed paddock directly opposite where we sat. Spotted Turtledoves cooed in the trees nearby and several Magpie-Larks paraded up and down the lawn area near our picnic table. Welcome Swallows constantly swooped low over the water and several Blackbirds searched for tasty morsels in the nearby bushes. I heard the tinkling calls of the Superb Blue Wren in the bushes too, but they didn’t emerge to show off their brilliant colours.