Wetlands are life

Dragonflies and damselflies buzz in the air while their larvae search for prey in the water; snails, worms, crabs and fish move amongst rocks, mud and varied plant life, attracting larger animals that feed on them, such as frogs, reptiles and birds.

Sydney Olympic Park has more than 100 hectares of wetlands, both freshwater and estuarine (where freshwater mixes with sea water). Parts of these wetlands are listed on the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia as they are important habitat for native flora and fauna, including many threatened species.

Some animals live in the wetlands year-round, while others visit seasonally. Migratory shorebirds are temporary residents with a fascinating and awe-inspiring lifestyle. They breed in the northern hemisphere, then fly over ten thousand kilometres each year to Australia to enjoy the balmy weather here. These long-distance travellers may be seen in the Park from August, before leaving in February to their northern homes.

While some birds can make the trip in one go, sleeping on their wings, most of them stop at various wetlands in Asia, feeding and resting before continuing their journey down under. Habitat loss and degradation from urban development, pollution and other threats have caused bird populations to decline sharply. Sadly, some species have recently been added to the national threatened species list.

• Latham’s Snipe – vulnerable (to extinction)
• Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - vulnerable
• Terek Sandpiper – vulnerable

Migratory shorebirds are a conservation focus at Sydney Olympic Park, and the subject of ongoing monitoring and management activities. All of these species that are now threatened with extinction can be found in the Park. The Park maintains wetlands used regularly by Latham’s Snipe and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers for feeding and roosting, and supports a nationally significant number of Latham’s Snipe. Wetlands are still being lost in Australia, not just overseas. You can care for wetlands by asking for their protection. At the Park, please keep on the path and out of waterbodies, keep your dog on a lead, do not remove plants or animals, or dump introduced species.