Coastal Emu: glimpse of a disappearing species in 2023

 

A Coastal Emu in the paddock outside Wynyabbie House last week. Image: Facebook Cody Pepper.
Clarence Valley Independent, 12 April 2023

 

Still commonly sighted in the Richmond and Clarence Valleys up to the 1980s, Coastal Emu numbers had markedly declined by the turn of the century. 

Since commencement of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service annual surveys in 2000, the number of Coastal Emus is estimated to have declined from approximately 140 individuals to just 40 of these unique endangered birds in 2017. 

Whilst gaining accurate estimates of small populations ranging over a large area can be difficult, opportunistic sightings between 2018 and 2019 suggest that there are around 26 adults and 20 juveniles left in the area (CVC 2020). The current best estimate is under 50.

What sighting there are in the Lower Clarence are possibly more common in Bundjalung National Park in Iluka and Yuraygir National Park south of Yamba. 

However sighting are now rare along the road between Maclean and Yamba. 

So this bird spending time in paddocks alongside the Palmers Channel section of Yamba Road is pleasing locals.