I spent yesterday in the Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park. It was a truly magnificent experience.
I was surprised to learn that in the wet season 75 % of the park becomes covered in water much of it runoff from the Arnhem Land escarpment. I was also surprised to learn that about 75 % of the park is burnt each year.
And I was surprised to see cattle grazing in the park, view image (about 70 Kbs).
When I asked a local about this beast I was told “We would prefer they weren’t here, but these cattle are owned by one of the traditional owners and she lets them come out”.
I understand there were once 300,000 buffalo in the area but this number has been reduced to 1,000.
With the reduced number of buffalo, I am told the water is not so muddy and so there are a few more water birds. I saw a tremendous diversity yesterday including sea eagles,view image (about 70 kbs)and magpie geese.
My favourite was perhaps this comb-crested Jacana, view image (about 70kbs) – also know as a Jesus-birds because their 8 cm long toes enable them to almost walk on water.
Interestingly it is the male jacana that looks after the eggs – usually on a lilly pad. When danger threatens Dad has been know to tuck a few eggs under a wing and run somewhere safe. Mum may mate several times during the one season, leaving a few males each with a clutch of eggs to raise.
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD is a critical thinker with expertise in the scientific method.
My sympathies to all male Jacanas (they sound almost human).
Magpie Geese
When I lived in Kununurra, the arrival of the first flocks onto the paddocks heralded the start of the Wet.
And when the Kabungi Weed flowered, that heralded the start of the Dry.
Water buffaloe? Traditional tucker? hmmmmmm. But then the mainstream view believes that the Aborigines here mass killed all the large mammals 12,000 years ago.
Good grief – Kununurra – so that’s where I remember Louis from – small world. Was it the tavern, pub or club ?