Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum gracile subsp. gracile)
Published September 24, 2011 | 
An aquatic, perennial native herb. An important food source for Waterfowl. “This plant may be a hidden resource, eventually seen as a valuable cellulose feed stock in a biofuel refinery. Cellulose ethanol could also be a future jet fuel source”. Found in the riparian zone on the Conservation Area.
Further reading ; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myriophyllum
Fresh Floodwaters
Published October 6, 2010 | 
Fresh floodwaters coursing to the billabong augur well for the biodiversity across the wildlife refuge.
White-faced Heron (Ardea novaehollandiae).
Published February 19, 2010 | 
“Common small heron with white face and throat and yellow legs. Widespread in shallow wetland, margins of swamps” and billabongs where this image was taken on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge. “Abundant almost throughout Australia in permanent or temporary habitats.”
Reference; Morcombe, M. Field Guide to Australian Birds.
Azure Kingfisher (Alcedo azurea).
Published January 25, 2010 | 
“Habitat; well vegetated banks of creeks, swamps, lakes, mangroves. Status; common where habitat remains suitable, mainly in the far north, otherwise uncommon; mostly sedentary, some migratory”. Image taken while bird feeding on tadpoles in a billabong at Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge.
Reference; Morcombe, M. Field Guide to Australian Birds.
Swamp Lily (Ottelia ovalfolia).
Published January 24, 2010 |
The Swamp Lily is a tufted aquatic perennial herb. The leaves float and are elliptical in shape. Found in a billabong on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge. These freshwater wetlands are associated with coastal areas subject to periodic flooding and are classified as Endangered Ecological Communities throughout New South Wales.
Fresh Billabong
Published January 22, 2010 | 
The fresh waters of a seasonal billabong next to Sportsman Creek. These still waters attract and provide for a myriad of Threatened species all inter-dependent for one another’s survival.
Fresh waters to the Billabong
Published January 21, 2010 |
Image showing water flowing from the mainstream of Sportsman creek only in time of flood to form a small backwater or billabong on the refuge.
Scroll image for enlargement.
The Island Billabong
Published October 31, 2009 | 
One of the more lasting benefits from the May floodwaters was the creation of 2 semi-permanent billabongs along the western and southern side of the island at Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge. Each of these small billabongs is over 250 metres and provide abundant habitat for Water rat, Eastern Water Dragon lizards, crustaceans and amphibians.