6.11.18

The Bellinger River Virus and the endangered freshwater snapping turtle


The "Bellinger River Virus" has been identified as the causative agent for the large scale mortalities in the endangered Bellinger River snapping turtles
in 2015.

Identification of a novel nidovirus as a potential cause of large scale mortalities in the endangered Bellinger River snapping turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) PLOS

Bellinger River virus found 06.11.2018 The Bellingen Courier-Sun 

A diverse suite of pharmaceuticals contaminates stream and riparian food webs, Nature, 6.11.2018

1.10.18

Oh my god they forgot the bike parking! Bellingen 'beautification'



The beautified Bellingen 'main drag' has no bike parking, let alone a bike path. Parking combustion engines is on the mind, not emission free parking infrastructure for all ages.

The planted exotic horticultural wonders proudly sponsor plants from far flung locations. (Place branding?) The vegetation has not yet reached curtain size to shield against the oversized heavy vehicles shooting through town. The daisies from South Africa might one day slow traffic down by covering the hot bitumen.
The sparrows are delighted by the puddles that form on the new tiles. A toddler was seen quenching his thirst on one of the many dog drinking bowls. No birdbaths were spotted anywhere for wildlife. The generous deposited dog faeces go a long way on the smooth terrazzo flooring. Pedestrians navigate commercial furniture, speeding skateboards on the private public partnerships (PPP) 'footpath' and hope they can run fast enough to cross the zebra crossings...



The problem isn’t dockless share bikes. It’s the lack of bike parking, The Conservation, 1.10.2018

Update: 06062020 
There is only one bike rack in Bellingen now, unfortunately dog owners tie large dogs to it so there is still nowhere to park one's bike.
  

22.2.18

The Urunga Boardwalk Environment



Urunga is on the mid-north coast of NSW. The 'long place' of the Gumbaynggirr people is where the Kalang River, the Bellinger River, the Urunga lagoon and the Pacific ocean meet. A junction of mangrove forest, floodplain forests and coastal suburbia. The Urunga Boardwalk structure allows human access through these environments. A domesticated coast line that served to ship the extracted timber. Today rapid urbanisation and mobile sprawl (tourism) are the life blood.

The area is part of the Bellinger Heads State Park NSW. To the South, Picket Hill (Nunguu Miirlal) is a very distinctive landmark, the Great Dividing Range frames the North.



The walk starts at Urunga town where visitor facilities, their cars and dogs mingle with endangered birds.  Brahminy Kites are hunting and the endangered Beach Stone Curlews ( Esacus magnirostris) and Curlew sandpipers (Calidris ferruginea) make a nervous appearance.



The narrow wooden structure of the boardwalk is crowded with a procession of recreational anglers and their plastic gear. Pet lovers are encouraged to bring their dogs into this shorebird habitat. Even when the walk is not congested, various birds flee at the sight of even a quiet human presence. One is aware of the impact.

 
The mangrove ground is alive with marine life. The estuary stingray (Dasyatis fluviorum) inhabits shallow, mangrove-lined tidal rivers and estuaries. The endemic and "once-abundant estuary stingray has declined substantially across its range." (source) Living in shallow tidal and mangrove habitats, they are often killed by recreational anglers and shellfish farmers. Sometimes they are just mutilated. Habitat degradation and loss due to foreshore development are just a few of the anthropogenic impacts.



Links: 

Destined to decline? Intrinsic susceptibility of the threatened estuary stingray to anthropogenic impacts, CSIRO

National Parks warn of growing threats to endangered shorebirds on NSW North Coast, abc 27.10.2016

'Fantasy documents': recovery plans failing Australia's endangered species, Guardian 20.02.2018

Threatened Species, NSW gov au

Dasyatis and extinction risks, IUCN, pdf

Updates:

Dredging Urunga lagoon in times of sea level rise. Marine life (pdf) will be delighted by fossil fuel dredging. 'A win for a swim - finally', Bellingen Courier, 27.02.2018

Images:
Photos, Urunga public mural