Watervalley Wetlands

Watervalley Wetlands
Watervalley Wetlands
Location	Murray and Mallee&Limestone Coastregions South Australia
Coordinates	36°28′0″S140°11′0″E
Basincountries	Australia
Managing agency	Wetlands and Wildlife Trust South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board
Designation	Nationally important wetland
Surface area	56.6 square kilometres (21.9 sq mi)
Surface elevation	15 to 35 metres (49 to 115 ft)
References

The wetlands are an important site for sharp-tailed sandpipers

TheWatervalley Wetlandsis anationally important wetland systemlocated in the Australian state ofSouth Australiawhich consists of a series of contiguouswetlands,lying on 56.6 square kilometres (21.9 sq mi) of private landbetween theCoorong National ParkandGum Lagoon Conservation Park,in the state's south-east.

Description

The wetlands comprise Mandina Marshes, Mandina Lake, Cortina Lakes, Mrs Whites Lagoon, Caora and South Flagstaff, which form a chain between relict dune systems inland of the Coorong, about 250 km south-east ofAdelaide.The water in the wetlands ranges from fresh to saline according to seasonal conditions. The area has aMediterranean climatewith cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers, and with an average annual rainfall of 450–500 mm. Most of the land is owned by Wetlands & Wildlife, a private conservation andland rehabilitationcompany, with the remainder expected to become the property of the company in due course.

Fauna

Birds

The site has been identified as anImportant Bird Area(IBA) byBirdLife Internationalbecause it supports over 1% of the world populations ofsharp-tailed sandpipers,and sometimes ofblue-billedandmusk ducks,when water levels are suitable. It also provides habitat fordiamond firetails.Other birds of conservation significance present at the wetlands includeblack-backedandAustralasian bitterns,freckled ducks,Australasian shovellers,white-bellied sea-eagles,peregrine falcons,Latham's snipes,Baillon'sandspotless crakes,yellow-tailed black cockatoos,southern emu-wrens,chestnut-rumped heathwrens,diamondandbeautiful firetails,andblack-chinned honeyeaters.The wetlands also support large breeding colonies of several thousandibises,egrets,spoonbillsandcormorants.

Flora

The Ramsa site Coorong has been a special site to many species of bird. It has also been a special site for many plants. In particular, one type of plant which has been found to be the main source of food for the birds isRuppia tuberosa(.The draining and activities made by the European settlers during the colonial days has caused a great impact to the lives of this particular plant along with other aquatic plants that provides a stock for the birds.

Other animals

The site is home tored-necked wallabiesandcommon wombatsat the extreme western limit of their range.Rosenberg's goannasare present.Growling grass frogsandYarra pygmy perchhave been recorded.

External links

• Watervalley Wetlands