Lake Eyre flooding makes rare Australian bird paradise

This video from Australia is called Lake Eyre Comes Alive.

From Wildlife Extra:

Lake Eyre floods for the third year in a row.

World’s Largest Salt Lake Comes Back to Life in South Australia

March 2011. Following last year’s spectacular sight as floodwaters filled the once dormant Lake Eyre in South Australia, the remarkable natural phenomenon is occurring for a (potentially unprecedented in recent times) third consecutive year. Visitors can marvel at the reborn lake with scenic flights and expeditions.

At 15 metres below sea level and Australia’s lowest point, Lake Eyre has only filled to the brim three times in the last 150 years. In 2000 the world’s largest salt lake became half full, a rare wonder which was mirrored in 2009 when floodwaters flowed along the normally dormant creeks and rivers to breathe life into the dry lake once more. The 2009 Lake Eyre flood peaked at 1.5 metres deep in late May, a quarter of its maximum recorded depth of 6 metres.

Heavy rains in Queensland and New South Wales over Christmas 2009 and New Year 2010 coupled with good summer rains in the South Australian Outback led to a repeat of the impressive phenomenon in 2010.

2011

After the well documented major floods in Queensland in December 2010, many Queensland rivers and streams have been carrying the water slowly southwards. The usually dry Outback is also looking surprisingly verdant and green. It takes several months for the water to reach Lake Eyre, and it is predicted that water levels in the lake will peak around Easter. It is thought that it may well be the largest flood since 1969. Visit between now and September to catch the spectacle before floodwaters recede.

Birding paradise

One result of this extraordinary event is prolific birdlife returning to the vast inland sea, making it a veritable birding paradise. With a lot of water on the ground it is not uncommon to see red-necked avocets, grey teals and black-tailed native hens. Other birds taking advantage of the conditions in varying habitats are brown songlarks, inland dotterels (with chicks), orange and crimson chats and red-backed kingfishers, which are all being seen readily within the area.