Belmore Swamp is a vast wetland located on the lower Macleay Valley floodplain near Kempsey, New South Wales. Over 200 species have been recorded here, owing to the mix of habitats which range from the open water of the main swamp, extensive reed beds, paperbark swamp forest, wet pasture, and eucalypt forest on the surrounding hillslopes.hillslopes to the south and west. When conditions are favourable, waterfowl occasionally gather in their thousands, including ducks, swans, herons, egrets, ibis, grebes, stilts, cormorants etc. Black-necked Stork and Glossy Ibis are regularly recorded and it is a good spot to try for Brolga near their southerly range limit in coastal NSW. The reed beds are home to crakes, rails and bitterns, and a variety of bush birds can be found in the adjacent paperbark forest, including Forest Kingfisher. It is an excellent site for raptors, with 18 of Australia's 24 diurnal raptor species having been recorded here. From October to March, if the water levels are suitable, migratory waders including Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper can be found along the muddy edges. During times of inland drought, species typically found much further west are occasionally recorded, including Brown Songlark, Red-capped Robin, Masked and White-browed Woodswallows and Black-tailed Nativehen. In 2005 a Northern Shoveler, a rare vagrant to Australia, was observed on the main swamp.
The swamp and surrounds are entirely situated on private agricultural land, however a public road bisects it, providing ample viewing opportunities from the roadside. The swamp continues to suffer from the effects of intensive cattle grazing and associated farming practices, particularly when it dries out following periods of low rainfall. However, it remains a very important site for many local and migratory species and can be diverse and productive for birdwatching during good seasons.
Belmore Swamp is a vast wetland located on the lower Macleay Valley floodplain near Kempsey, New South Wales. Over 200 species have been recorded here, owing to the mix of habitats which range from the open water of the main swamp, extensive reed beds, paperbark swamp forest, wet pasture, and eucalypt forest on the surrounding hillslopes. When conditions are favourable, waterfowl occasionally gather in their thousands, including ducks, swans, herons, egrets, ibis, grebes, stilts, cormorants etc. Black-necked Stork and Glossy Ibis are regularly recorded and it is a good spot to try for Brolga near their southerly range limit in coastal NSW. The reed beds are home to crakes, rails and bitterns, and a variety of bush birds can be found in the adjacent paperbark forest, including Forest Kingfisher. It is an excellent site for raptors, with 18 of Australia's 24 diurnal raptor species having been recorded here. From October to March, if the water levels are suitable, migratory waders including Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper can be found along the muddy edges of the swamp.edges. During times of inland drought, species typically found much further west are occasionally recorded, including Brown Songlark, Red-capped Robin, Masked and White-browed Woodswallows and Black-tailed Nativehen. In 2005 a Northern Shoveler, a rare vagrant to Australia, was observed on the main swamp.
The swamp and surrounds are entirely situated on private agricultural land, however a public road bisects it, providing ample viewing opportunities from the roadside. The swamp continues to suffer from the effects of intensive cattle grazing and associated farming practices, particularly when it dries out following periods of low rainfall. However, it remains a very important site for many local and migratory species and can be diverse and productive for birdwatching during good seasons.
Belmore Swamp is a vast wetland located on the lower Macleay Valley floodplain near Kempsey, New South Wales. Over 200 species have been recorded here, owing to the mix of habitats which range from the open water of the main swamp, extensive reed beds, paperbark swamp forest, wet pasture, and eucalypt forest on the surrounding hillslopes. When conditions are favourable, waterfowl occasionally gather in their thousands, including ducks, swans, herons, egrets, ibis, grebes, stilts, cormorants etc. Black-necked Stork and Glossy Ibis are regularly recorded and it is a good spot to try for Brolga near their southerly range limit in coastal NSW. The reed beds are home to crakes, rails and bitterns, and a variety of bush birds can be found in the adjacent paperbark forest, including Forest Kingfisher. It is an excellent site for raptors, with 18 of Australia's 24 diurnal raptor species having been recorded here. From October to March, if the water levels are suitable, migratory waders including Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper can be found along the muddy edges of the swamp. During times of inland drought, species typically found much further west are occasionally recorded, including Brown Songlark, Red-capped Robin, Masked and White-browed Woodswallows and Black-tailed Nativehen. In 2005 a Northern Shoveler, a rare vagrant to Australia, was observed on the main swamp.
The swamp and surrounds are entirely situated on private agricultural land, however a public road bisects it, providing ample viewing opportunities from the roadside. The swamp continues to suffer from the effects of intensive cattle grazing and associated farming practices, particularly when it dries out following periods of low rainfall. However, it remains a very important site for many local and migratory species and can be diverse and productive for birdwatching during good seasons.
