Springfield Pond Wetland

30/05/2026

I could not believe my eyes when I spotted this turtle on the boom at 4.40pm on Friday afternoon. It was just catching the last rays of sun but very late in the day!! Must have known winter was almost here and wanted to get some warmth before the cold hits.
A little Pied Cormorant and a Eurasian Coot keeping any eye on each other.
Wonderful to see an Australasian Darter visit the island again as we only seem them occasioanlly.
A little Black Cormorant catching some sun a few weeks ago.

1 Million Turtles Community Conservation Program
Adam Crouch MP
Central Coast Council
Lawrie McKinna
Love COSS.
Springfield Residents Association
Central Coast Council Watch

23/05/2026

A fast moving view of the turtle islands around the state

22/05/2026

World Turtle Day is a reminder to celebrate these fantastic creatures.

It Starts With... podcast host David Boldeman is joined by turtle experts Deb Bower, James Van D**e, Michael Thompson and Ricky Spencer to explore why turtles are so important, the surprising biology behind how they survive, and the growing challenges they face.Apple Podcasts - listen for free and ...

19/05/2026

Possibly a Willie Wagtail (happy to be corrected) (EDIT seems it is a Grey Fantail) enjoying the other birdbath.
The wallabies have been around a bit lately but have been a blur as they pass the camera. At least you can see this is a wallaby.
The Great Egret parading around a few weeks ago.
Grey Butcherbird enjoying a splash.

17/05/2026

Couldn’t resist sharing these with you.

17/05/2026

With so many new followers and many who have followed for years, I thought it might be interesting to look back.

I made a few videos in 2025, with particular focus in this one on the privately owned half of the wetland. The same developer still owns the 4 ha on the north side of the wetland but has not maintained his section as far as we know.

The videos are amateurish but the photos tell some of the story.

This is a look back at 2020 at the wetland. Apologies for the glitch at 1:40 - couldn't get rid of it but it was explaining that Central Coast Council had t...

12/05/2026

Have your say now before the risk of irreversible damage becomes a possibility.

11/05/2026

I had the pleasure of speaking at the Henry Kendall Garden Club recently. They were a fantastic audience and asked lots of questions. I spoke about the weeds (see last pic - the salvinia is still spreading) and the Turtle Biohaven Island and have been asked to come back next year to talk more about the turtles plus the birds.
We need to keep as many eyes as possible on our wetland!
From the biggest bird here (Great Eastern Egret) to one of the smallest - a fluff ball - better known as a Willie Wagtail.

06/05/2026

It was a bit late in the day yesterday but in the afternoon I took a few photos of the wetland to share.
We have many new followers in recent months so it is an opportunity to show how beautiful it is. Just ask the Little Black Cormorant enjoying the sun.
The trees on the developer's land are magnificent. I can't even imagine what it would like with over 2 ha of those soaring trees removed.
Each of his failed DAs have included a mandatory bushfire report and each time one of the conditions is removal of trees and shrubs across much of the site and 'in perpetuity' is stated. Means trees and shrubs can never be allowed to regrow.

28/04/2026

For those as outraged as I was last week, this will be of interest.

Last week hundreds of our supporters wrote to the Water Minister Rose Jackson, demanding action to save the hundreds of turtles stranded and dying in the drying Gwydir Wetlands. Despite the urgent and distressing conditions, unfortunately the water has still not been released.

We need to increase the pressure. Next week we're hosting a webinar for anyone interested in learning more about this critical moment and how you can help escalate pressure on decision-makers. Please join us:

What: Webinar: Save the Gwydir Turtles
When: Monday 4th May, 5pm

We will explore:
💧 What water for the environment means, and why it is so important
💧 Why this water release was suddenly stopped
💧 How we can stop this from happening again
💧 What you should say when writing to or calling the minister's office

RSVP: https://www.nature.org.au/save_the_gwydir_turtles