Yes it’s been unusually wet but I have been wondering, how unusual? Going back over the rainfall records for Joyces Creek since 1907 the wettest January – February period was in 1973 when 265mm was recorded. This was preceded by a relatively dry year in 1972 when 467mm fell … interestingly 162mm of this total was recorded in the first two months of that year!
Walker's Swamp, 13th February 2011
This year we have recorded 252mm already in the opening two months, almost matching 1973, with the big difference being the fact that the last three months of 2010 were also extremely wet with 333mm from a year total of 786mm. To some extent we are now in uncharted territory.
Lignum Swamp, 13th February 2011
I have been wondering then what might happen on the beautiful swamps of the Moolort Plains as we head into autumn. Bird numbers at the moment are healthy, but not remarkable. Currently with water everywhere in the landscape from Victoria to Queensland, birds have many choices, but I suspect as water levels recede there will be some pretty interesting new observations. So stay tuned for the rare and unusual over coming months … that is unless it keeps raining in which case the record books will need to be completely rewritten!
Blackmore's Swamp, 13th February 2011
Natural Newstead 