Water Babies – Intimate scenes of waterbird families in Sydney Park
24These adorable waterbird babies – namely, Dusky Moorhens (Gallinulla tenebrosa), Eurasian Coots (Fulica atra) , Australasian Swamphens (Porphyrio melanotus), Pacific Black Ducks (Anas superciliosa), Chestnut Teals (Anas castanea) and Black Swans (Cygnus atratus) – and their parents/carers were filmed from August to December 2020 in Sydney Park (NSW, Australia). Some scenes might feature different families of the same species or more than one brood (e.g. a juvenile Dusky Moorhen was seen interacting with chicks in December), while others revisit the same family in that five month period (i.e. Black Swans). For information on a particular species, please use https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/finder.
Although we have showcased birds within the heart of Sydney before (e.g. these bird medleys from Centennial Park: https://youtu.be/YkxFDZCPFM4 and https://youtu.be/G-lsC1U8o1M), Sydney Park has been an unexpected delight. Perhaps it’s because we remember how it used to be and how recent the transformation. For much of the twentieth century, the 40+ hectare area now known as Sydney Park was an industrial site that included brickworks and a rubbish tip. By contrast, Centennial Park was formally established in 1888 and has long been a haven for birds and other wildlife. Even when the tip was closed and covered over to create open space for the densely-populated suburbs of St Peters, Alexandria, Newtown and Erskineville, we never imagined the stunning oasis of today. The prominent green hill and landmark chimneys seemed so stark and barren in the 1990s and early 2000s.
What’s remarkable about Sydney Park is how quickly it changed once the decision was made to create wetlands as part of a storm water retention/re-use plan (that started in 2010). As you view the opening photo, footage and links herein, marvel at the beauty and amazing habitat that can emerge from a two-and-a-half year project (April 2013 – October 2015) and just a handful of years since completion. No wonder this park won awards. But the best evidence of success is biodiversity. The ebird hotspot list now boasts 123 species https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2444301 with many of these regularly breeding in the park. Surely a case of, build it and they will come! To see more of this special place for wildlife and people, check out this Gardening Australia story from 2017 https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/wasteland-to-wetland/9440332. Additional information can be found at https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/histories-local-parks-playgrounds/history-sydney-park, https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/improving-streets-public-spaces/sydney-park-wetlands-major-works-creation-and-history, https://www.governmentarchitect.nsw.gov.au/resources/case-studies/2017/11/sydney-park and https://www.governmentnews.com.au/sydney-park-wins-international-architecture-award/.