Abattoir Swamp Birding Hotspot

A HISTORY OF ABATTOIR SWAMP, JULATTEN, FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

 

Entrance Car Park Area

Abattoir Swamp is situated between Julatten and Mt Molloy on the northern edge of the Atherton Tableland and takes its name from a nearby slaughterhouse, which operated from 1952 until the 1960’s. The area around the swamp was relatively undisturbed by human settlement up until the turn of the 20th century. A land survey carried out in 1910 stated that there were still large stands of uncleared timber including "Bloodwood, sheoak, tea-tree gum, mahogany, box and Ironbark". Charles Pashen build a house (date unknown) on the small hill at the western side of the swamp but this has since been destroyed. From 1949 to the late 1960's the land passed through several hands. Charles Pashen sold the land to James Dalziel who never used the land for grazing or crops but did extensively clear Eucalypts and Melaleucas from the edges of the swamp. Philip "Sonny" McDowall bought the land in 1952, built a slaughter house (hence the name Abattoir for the swamp) and grazed cattle on the land. Philip did not own the land for long as he sold it within 12 months to Kevin Gadd who was a butcher in Mt. Molloy. He grazed cattle on the land and used the abattoir to supply his butchers shop. The abattoir closed in the early 1960's. James Lenehan then bought the land, to graze cattle, in the early 1960's. During his ownership the Slaughter yard and attached buildings were destroyed by fire. James owned the land until 1989 when he sold the swamp and land east to Bushy Creek to the Mossman Central Mill. The mill cleared the remaining trees on the grazing land along with mature gums on the slope to the north of the swamp to grow sugar cane. There was also a plan to fill in and level the swamp.

Abattoir Swamp

Under public pressure, and with the advent of a World Heritage tree-planting scheme, the Mill decided to donate the land to Mareeba Shire for management as a conservation reserve in 1991. By now the swamp was becoming a popular place for locals and visiting birdwatchers to visit so the council decided that any future development of the site would involve enhancing the birdwatching experience. A survey of the wetland’s natural features, flora, and fauna was undertaken and a set of Management Guidelines were developed (Newton and Barnes 1993). The Council’s Tree-Planting Scheme funded the establishment of a boardwalk, bird-watching hide, parking lot, and access track.

Boardwalk to Birdhide

Council’s management of the wetland continued for several years until the conclusion of the World Heritage Tree-planting Scheme. At this point funding for the management committee ran out and the Park was transferred to normal maintenance and works program. Unfortunately, the environmental requirements of the wetland were no longer prioritised. Grasses were burned off, native saplings were cleared, and Olive Hymenachne became established. Thus, three distinct lines of the aggressive weed gained traction. Within a decade the wetland’s open waters were closed in by overwhelming growth of Hymenachne, the boardwalk was deteriorating rapidly, bird diversity plummeted, and the park began to acquire the reputation of a lost cause.

A move was made in 2015 to resolve the reserves problems, and a community event was held at the swamp. From that time the rotten parts of the boardwalk were replaced by volunteer members of the Julatten and Mt Molloy Association of Ratepayers and Residents, but more structural damage was found during these works. Funding was obtained to rebuild the boardwalk and the work was undertaken by a Job Find team. A new management plan was produced in 2018 along with funding to re-profile some of the swamp to create more suitable habitat for waterbirds. However, the aggressive Hymenachne has overgrown these works.

Forward to July 2021 when the Mitchell River Watershed Management Group (MRWMG) took over the management of the Reserve from Mareeba Shire Council, initially for a five year period. The Abattoir Swamp Management Group was then formed, as a sub-group of the MRWMG and is reliant on volunteers to continue the maintenance of this valuable wetland. 

Working Bee Group

Why is Abattoir Swamp important? It is in a region that is recognised internationally as a biodiversity hotspot, renowned for high flora and fauna endemism. The swamp’s location makes it a valuable refuge in the wildlife corridors running between the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area with the drier savanna country of the Rifle Creek drainage. Currently the open woodland area around the car park and adjoining paperbarks provide the most diversity of birds for visiting birdwatchers. Northern Fantail and Lovely Fairy-wren are probably the most obvious, with both species also nesting in the car park area. 

Northern Fantail

Lovely Fairy-wren (Female)

Lovely Fairy-wren (Male)

Historically, when open water was available, many waterbirds such as Green Pygmy-goose, many other duck species, heron and egret species were regularly seen. Crakes such as Ballion’s, Spotless and White-browed, plus Buff-banded Rail were easier to observe then, along the edges of the water. White-browed Crake are occasionally seen around the hide. 

Green Pygmy-goose (male & female)

What does the future hold? The management committee will prioritise what is achievable in line with the 2018 Management Plan. There have been several working bees and a new walking track has been made along the northern boundary which ends up in a stand of paperbarks opposite the bird hide. Obviously the biggest problem is the Hymenachne, which is almost impossible to eradicate, but it is hoped that some kind of control can be implemented to at least create some open water once again. Repairs to the hide and replanting to enhance the tree and other plant species to attract birds, are on going priorities. The 2018 Management Plan gives a lot more detail and can be downloaded from a link on the Friends of Abattoir Swamp Facebook page, where you can also download a bird species list. To keep up to date with progress and wildlife observations join the Facebook page or if you would like to go on the mailing list please send an email to:- as-convenor@mitchell-river.com.au.