Poocher Swamp Game Reserve

Where is it?: Poocher Swamp Game Reserve lies 8 kilometres west of Bordertown along the Cannawigara Road.

Owner: Department for Environment and Water.

Property summary: Total area 77 hectares – Hundred of Wirrega, Sections 12, 661 and 662.

Landscape Management Region: Limestone Coast

History: In the late 1950s, a number of levee banks were constructed in the swamp to impound water and attract bird life. The swamp fills from Tatiara Creek. Sections 12 and 661 proclaimed on 14 November 1985 and Section 662 added on 16 March 1989.

Habitat: The impoundment of water over many years has caused the inundation of the river red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), and consequently many have died but extensive regrowth is occurring at the upper limits of the flood waters and at the entrance of Tatiara Creek to the swamp.

Understorey vegetation is mostly weed species. These are numerous, particularly in the muddy sections of the reserve. Aquatic species occur in the shallower sections of the.reserve and are dominated by ribbon weed (Triglochin procerum), red water-milfoil ((Myriophyllum verrucosum), stonewart (Nitella sp), swamp lily (Ottelia ovalifolia), azalia (Azalia filiculoides), and several rush species.

Due to the extensively cleared nature of the surrounding land, Poocher Swamp Game Reserve is an isolated island of modified swamp.

Total Species Recorded to Date: 85 (non-passerines 60, passerines 25)

Common Species: Grey Teal, Pacific Black Duck, Black-tailed Nativehen, Galah, Red-rumped Parrot, Australian Magpie, White-plumed Honeyeater, Magpielark

Less Common Species: Australian Pelican, Royal Spoonbill, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, New Holland Honeyeater, Rufous Songlark


Updated: 27/07/2021

 

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