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Magpie geese spotted! Rare sightings in Maffra and Bairnsdale underscore importance of Gippsland wetlands

Rare Magpie Geese sightings have been confirmed in Maffra and Bairnsdale, highlighting the Gippsland Lakes' importance as a refuge for vulnerable wetland species and migratory birds.

By news@gippsland - 2nd June 2025 - Back to News

Rare sightings of Magpie Geese have been confirmed across the Gippsland Lakes catchment in both Maffra and Bairnsdale. "We are excited about these sightings of Magpie Geese visiting Gippsland," said Sean Phillipson, Senior NRM Advisor for East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

Magpie geese, listed as Vulnerable in Victoria, were recently spotted in Maffra and Bairnsdale - rare sightings highlighting Gippsland Lakes' vital wetland habitat

Rare wetland visitors

The birds are found on floodplains and in freshwater wetland areas across coastal northern and eastern Australia but are a rare visitor to Victoria where their conservation status is listed as Vulnerable. Passionate field naturalist Duncan Fraser, a resident in the Maffra-Newry area since 1945, spotted three birds near Newry Creek. A member of the public reported a further three Magpie Geese in Bairnsdale with East Gippsland CMA confirming both sightings and also that they were two separate groups of geese.

"Magpie geese were once widespread across freshwater wetlands of Gippsland and Victoria but historic over-hunting, draining of wetlands and intensification of agriculture changed this. The birds in Bairnsdale looked to be sub-adults and could be using the area as a stopover refuge. Magpie geese often form breeding groups of three - two females and one male," said Mr Phillipson.

Magpie Geese need freshwater wetlands and aquatic vegetation to survive. "These sightings demonstrate that wetlands and vegetation around the Lakes are acting as a refuge and that the right habitat can be an important place for our wildlife - no matter how small. These rare visitors are something we can all celebrate and are a result of the combined effort to enhance and protect the health of the wetlands around the Lakes," concluded Mr Phillipson.

Protect magpie geese

Magpie Geese are large black and white birds with a red beak. If you see any Magpie Geese, we would love you to log the sighting with BirdData either online or via the app. Each time you submit a bird survey, you help grow our shared understanding of birds and their habitats. Your data supports real conservation efforts by BirdLife Australia and other groups nationwide.

Home to the smallest of fish through to the largest of birds, Gippsland Lakes on Gunaikurnai Country covers 60,000 hectares and are home to around 400 indigenous plants, 300 native wildlife species and are recognised as a feeding ground for migratory birds that travel from as far away as Siberia. That is why they are one of 67 wetlands in Australia listed under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

Pictures from West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com