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In much of NSW
the pattern of precipitation is erratic; only parts of the
mountains and coastal plains can be said to be reliably
watered. Yet the longest rivers in Australia are found to
the west of these mountains. The major inland waterways tend
to be wide, muddy and slow-moving with broad floodplains and
frequent formation of billabongs. The erratic precipitation
results in floods that can cover vast areas of country and
droughts where the waterway may be confined to a relatively
narrow gutter, dry up, or be reduced to a series of
waterholes. This pattern of water flow is of significance to
the distribution and reproductive biology of many
water-dependant birds adapted to this difficult environment. |
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The Great
Dividing range largely confines rain coming from the Tasman
Sea to the eastern areas. Eastward-flowing rivers tend to be
relatively short, permanent, fast-flowing and clear until
they reach their narrow floodplain or flow into an estuarine
lake. Despite being shorter and occupying far less area,
these rivers discharge over 50% more water than the entire
Murray-Darling Basin. A consequence is that coastal rivers
and other wetlands occasionally form drought refuges for
waterbirds from the inland. |
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Typical Birds:
Black Swan, Australian Shellduck, Australasian Shoveler,
Grey Teal, Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant,
Australian Pelican, Great Egret, Nankeen Night Heron, Royal
Spoonbill, Whistling Kite, Little eagle, Eurasian Coot,
Azure Kingfisher. |
