These pictures are provided by the www.EcoPix.net environmental photo library for your enjoyment and information. Please remember that the copyright for their use is owned by the photographer and permission is required before use. Please phone (07) 4668 2021 or email ecopix@discoverycoast.net if you would like to use these images. Thanks for your consideration.

Click on any image to view the gallery at a larger size


Back to Lake Cowal information 

Back to Lake Cowal email campaign | Media Releases |

Home | GoldBusters | Cyanide |Youth |
Rainforest Information Centre

  

Lake Cowal threatened!!

Waterbirds fly at dusk, Lake Cowal, NSW, Australia.
Waterbirds fly at dusk, Lake Cowal, NSW, Australia.
Waterfowl, including the rare Freckled Duck.
Waterfowl, including the rare Freckled Duck.
Healthy lignum, waterbird nesting habitat, Lake Cowal.
Healthy lignum, waterbird nesting habitat, Lake Cowal.
  
Flooded lignum and canegrass, Lake Cowal, important wetland habitat.
Flooded lignum and canegrass, Lake Cowal, important wetland habitat.
  

One of the most precious freshwater wetland complexes in eastern Australia, Lake Cowal, central New South Wales, is threatened with a proposed open-cut cyanide-leach mine and toxic tailings dams!

Lake Cowal is a National Estate wetland of immense biological and cultural importance. It is a major habitat for migratory and nomadic waterbirds on a national scale, a sacred place for the Wiradjuri people, and a favoured destination for many outdoor enthusiasts.

Conservation organisations, both government and community, believe that the fragile ecology of this wetland is no place for a toxic mine.

Enjoy this photographic tour of Lake Cowal, then please visit the link provided below to participate in the email campaign.

Diversity of life at the mouth of Bland Creek, Lake Cowal's inflow.
Diversity of life at the mouth of Bland Creek, Lake Cowal's inflow.  

Thousands of visitors have enjoyed Lake Cowal over the years.
Thousands of visitors have enjoyed Lake Cowal over the years.  

Lake Cowal viewed from Wamboyne Mountain, showing lignum beds.
Lake Cowal viewed from Wamboyne Mountain, showing lignum beds.  

Pelicans by the flock hunting through the shallows of Lake Cowal.
Pelicans by the flock hunting through the shallows of Lake Cowal.
  
Stormclouds over a flooded Lake Cowal.
Stormclouds over a flooded Lake Cowal.
  
Receding waters leave milfoil and river red gums.
Receding waters leave milfoil and river red gums.  
Rufous Night Herons gather near their nesting colony in flooded Lake Cowal forest.
Rufous Night Herons gather near their nesting colony in flooded Lake Cowal forest.  
Sacred Ibis arrive to roost for the night,  Lake Cowal.
Sacred Ibis arrive to roost for the night, Lake Cowal.  
Family of Great Crested Grebe on Lake Cowal, one of the multitude of waterbirds which raise their young on the lake.
Family of Great Crested Grebe on Lake Cowal, one of the multitude of waterbirds which raise their young on the lake.  
Squadron of pelicans hunt in the river red gum flooded forest, Lake Cowal.
Squadron of pelicans hunt in the river red gum flooded forest, Lake Cowal.  
Flock of Straw-necked Ibis wheel on thermals above the nesting colony in Lake Cowal lignum.
Flock of Straw-necked Ibis wheel on thermals above the nesting colony in Lake Cowal lignum.  
Wandering Whistle Duck photographed at Lake Cowal, far from its northern habitats. The lake is a meeting place for nomadic waterbirds from all over Australia.
Wandering Whistle Duck photographed at Lake Cowal, far from its northern habitats. The lake is a meeting place for nomadic waterbirds from all over Australia.  
The rare Freckled Duck, a frequent inhabitant of Lake Cowal.
The rare Freckled Duck, a frequent inhabitant of Lake Cowal.  
Male Blue-billed Ducks display during the breeding season, one of the rarer waterbird species which use Lake Cowal.
Male Blue-billed Ducks display during the breeding season, one of the rarer waterbird species which use Lake Cowal.  
Yellow-billed Spoonbill catches prey by feel in its special bill.
Yellow-billed Spoonbill catches prey by feel in its special bill.  
White-necked or Pacific Heron hunts in old-growth river red gum flooded forest.
White-necked or Pacific Heron hunts in old-growth river red gum flooded forest.  
Great Egrets hunt in the wetland shallows, along with herons, ibis and spoonbills.
Great Egrets hunt in the wetland shallows, along with herons, ibis and spoonbills.  
Nest and eggs of a Magpie Goose pair which nested on Lake Cowal in 1989. The lake supports unusual wildlife for its latitude.
Nest and eggs of a Magpie Goose pair which nested on Lake Cowal in 1989. The lake supports unusual wildlife for its latitude.  
The rare and beautiful Superb Parrot lives in the woodlands surrounding Lake Cowal.
The rare and beautiful Superb Parrot lives in the woodlands surrounding Lake Cowal.  
Windmill in water shows the ephemeral nature of Lake Cowal, the wet and dry phases of which are both of ecological importance to the functioning of its ecosystem, and to agriculture and fisheries.
Windmill in water shows the ephemeral nature of Lake Cowal, the wet and dry phases of which are both of ecological importance to the functioning of its ecosystem, and to agriculture and fisheries.  
People as well as wildlife flock to the lake to enjoy its natural values. Campers at Lake Cowal.
People as well as wildlife flock to the lake to enjoy its natural values. Campers at Lake Cowal.  

A White-faced Heron preens to protect its wings while at peace in the productive shallows of Lake Cowal. Everyone needs to protect and care for their assets.  

A White-faced Heron preens to protect its wings while at peace in the productive shallows of Lake Cowal. Everyone needs to protect and care for their assets.


Hope you enjoyed this tour of Lake Cowal. If you would like to see the lake and wetlands stay this way, please take a moment to participate in the email campaign:

Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal 

Sun rises over the waters of Lake Cowal - the dawning of another day across this timeless and priceless jewel of nature.

Sun rises over the waters of Lake Cowal - the dawning of another day across this timeless and priceless jewel of nature.  


Back to Lake Cowal information