CUMBERLAND Bird Observers are in a frenzy – a Paradise Shelduck found almost exclusively in New Zealand, has been spotted at Bushells Lagoon in Freemans Reach.
“There are few recorded sightings outside New Zealand so the discovery of a male at Bushells Lagoon on April 4 set the bird watching fraternity alight,” the club’s Keith Brandwood told The Courier.
He said it had turned the streets near the lagoon into a traffic jam.
“Seeing and photographing a new species of bird is high on the agenda for many birdwatchers,” he said. “Birdwatchers from interstate and NSW country are flocking to the lagoon on a mission to add a Paradise Shelduck to their Australian bird list.
“Since the duck’s arrival, Brewers Lane, the access road to the lagoon, has resembled a polling booth location on election day with a constant flow of vehicles.”
“Seven days later birdwatchers are still arriving to see the duck,” he said.
Before Europeans arrived in New Zealand the large goose-like ducks were hunted by the Maori.
It was forbidden by their culture to hunt them when they were moulting, when they couldn’t fly, and when they were breeding, to maintain the population size.
He asked any local twitchers considering a visit to note that Brewers Lane is a public road which ends at the water's edge, and the causeway across the lagoon is private property.
If you’d like to learn more, contact Keith on 4575 1514.
Cumberland Bird Observers Club meets monthly at Castle Hill. If you’ld like to find out more contact Brian on 9876 1404 or president@cboc.org.au.