20 June 2013

Lake Cowal, New South Wales

Lake Cowal North, or Nerang Cowal, 43 klms N.W. of West Wyalong, inland N.S.W., had been drought-stricken for nine years.  It reached capacity again in March 2011. These photos were taken early May, this year.

According to Lake Cowal Foundation it is also known as New South Wales largest 'natural' inland lake, approximately 21 km long and 9.5 km wide, with an average depth of around 2.5m, and covering an area of 13,000 hectares when full.

 you can see where the water 'had' been, right across the road

barricades had prevented drivers proceeding any further beyond this point

how dry?



 it had been part of the lake?

with backs to the wind, birders doing what birders do best ...

over in the reeds to the left
swallows were pushing hard against the wind

you can just see the glistening water in the background

and a lone Reed Warbler sits for a moment

the sun shone on the water; it was early-mid afternoon


Sightings noted (advantages to having digi-scope on hand), in the following birders newsletter, related to large numbers of Grey Teal, Red-necked Avocet, Black-winged Stilts, Shovelers, Pink-ears, Pelicans and Silver Gulls.

Natalie Lowrey has written a very informative article, (complete with fly-over Lake Cowal video earlier this year), relating to the continued battles raised by Wiradjuri and environmentalists against Barrick Gold, the worlds largest gold miner, at this location.

10 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Wow, it is dry there. There is a drought for 9 years? Cute shots of the swallows and Reed Bunting! Nice report and post. Have a happy day!

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

WOnderful photos of your walk. But it´s really dry....
Best regards, Synnöve

Red Nomad OZ said...

Never been to Lake Cowal - although oddly, we're within cooee of it right now! Lake Cargelligo has water in it now - I wonder is Lake Cowal as lucky??!!

Unknown said...

Nice location shots. I've done that sort of birding! Very interesting & memorable but not always satisfying for the photographer!
I've not heard of this place
'Followed the link to the video & boy does that gold mine not look right!
Thanks for sharing

Peter

Irma said...

Hi Carole,
Beautiful pictures of your walk.
The ground is cracked by drought.
Regards, Irma

TexWisGirl said...

the environmental impact of the mining is truly sad. greed always seems to win out.

Karen said...

I can remember visiting Lake Eyre when it was dry and then again after flood. The dry lake bottom looks like another planet doesn't it?

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

I have always found birders striking their birding pose are fun to photograph. Love that flatland.

Joyful said...

Great photos! The earth does look parched. Have a great weekend.

diane b said...

water over the road but still parched in areas. Looks like you had fun with fellow twitchers??? or whatever you call yourselves.