One of the very interesting outcomes of the enormous amount of Greenfield development around the Maitland area is the creation of artificial wetlands.
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These wetlands collect the stormwater runoff from the new estates and are often remnants of creeks and swampy areas planted with rushes and other low-growing vegetation suitable for wetter areas.
I had wondered what the impact of these areas would be on the displaced birds and small animals that lost their habitat when the development site was cleared of vegetation.
There was also the possibility of continued disturbance from domestic animals and people, and the potential disastrous effects on the new environment of the runoff from all the new gardens.
Some of these things have occurred, and some of the new wetlands contain rubbish, fishing line, shopping trolleys and broken and damaged infrastructure.
However, they are taking shape, the new trees are growing and the wetlands looking more established and best of all the birds are starting to use these spaces to feed and breed.
The Golden-headed Cisticola (pronounced sis-tic-ola), is one of a handful of small bird species that live, work and play in swampy grassland round fresh water.
They are minute, weighing only eleven grams and measuring about ten centimetres and are not usually visible.
In the breeding season it’s a different story and one I had the joy of watching recently.
Males’ breeding plumage consists of a golden crown and nape, and a shortened tail, and the crown feathers often stand up in a miniature crew cut.
To attract a mate, display flights are performed involving fluttering upwards high above the grass, accompanied by a wheezing song before diving back down into a thicket.
This manoeuvre is repeated many times, watched by the females and amazed human bird- watchers.
Cisticolas feed on insects on the ground amongst the grass.
They also build their nests in green tussocks and swamp vegetation near the ground. The nests are rounded domes with a side entrance.
The male collects spiders web and passes them to the female working inside the nest and she uses them as thread to stitch together green leaves.
These little brown birds with their brown streaked plumage are full of surprising behaviour and if you sit quietly, will put on a wonderful display for you.
Find out more at the Hunter Bird Observer’s Club website.
