FRASER COAST CHRONICLE (Maryborough, Australia) 04 October 13 Nesting season has started for Mary River turtles
The weekend's stormy weather has sparked the start of the nesting season for Mary River turtles, according to the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee.
MRCCC scientist Steve Burgess said the elusive turtles had begun nesting in a number of places along the river this week.
"This is the sort of observation that we encourage our Waterwatch volunteers to record when they conduct their regular water quality testing in their local stream" he said.
"The MRCCC's network of dedicated volunteers who know and care about their particular waterway and notice and report unusual events (both good and bad) is one of the major benefits of the MRCCC's long running community Waterwatch program.
"The water quality data and observations of volunteers are invaluable, helping to establish a long-term picture of the health of their local waterway."
Throughout October, the MRCCC is running a series of Waterwatch training workshops, 9.15am to 12.30pm, throughout the Mary catchment for existing volunteers and people who are interested in finding out more about water quality monitoring.
One of the changes being introduced this year will be more encouragement for recording wildlife observations, particularly for the range of species included in the Mary River Threatened Species Recovery Plan - lungfish, Mary River turtle, Mary River cod, giant barred frog and freshwater mullet.
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