The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is celebrating the fifth year of its popular Breakfast with the Birds event with something special.

This year it’s Hird Swamp’s turn to show off, with the wetland buzzing after water for the environment was delivered late last year, the first time both east and west sections have been full since the 2010-11 floods.

“As a result, Hird Swamp is now home to up to 50 endangered Australasian bitterns, huge numbers of magpie geese, freckled ducks, grey teal, hardhead and a lot more,” Acting Project Manager Amy Russell said.

“If we’re lucky, we will be able to hear the distinctive bittern call. Early settlers thought the bittern call sounded like a monster, and the Yowie legend was born.”

This year’s event will feature a photo competition for the first time.

“We know locals and visitors love to flock to the Kerang Wetlands to both watch birds and photograph them, so we will have prizes for the best bird portrait, the best photo of a bird in flight, the most unusual or threatened species, an award for the best sunrise shot, as well as one for a junior photographer.

“Hird Swamp is magnificent and we want to make sure people can show it off to the world.”

Breakfast with the Birds will be held on February 4 – to celebrate World Wetlands Day– from 5am to 10.30am.

Due to limited car parking, enter Hird Swamp at the southern end from Borella Road and follow the signs to the carpark. Participants will be transferred by bus from the car park to the site.

“It’s important people register, so we can book buses and organise coffee and a light breakfast,” Ms Russell said.

“We will have wetland and bird specialists there to talk about what you are seeing, and all ages are welcome.

“To register, click on the Events page of our website, give us a call on 03 5448 7124 or email info@nccma.vic.gov.au

“Bring a hat, water bottle, re-usable coffee cup if you have one, chair if required, and binoculars and a camera if you want. It’s important to dress for the weather including wearing long pants and enclosed footwear.”

This project is supported by North Central CMA, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and the Victorian Government.