With flowing rivers and conditions warming up, ibis have been busy checking out nesting and foraging sites in the lower Murrumbidgee (Lowbidgee) and Lachlan rivers around Hay, Balranald and Booligal.

Some may only know ibis as "bin chickens" or "tip turkeys", but these birds also play an important part in our wetland and agricultural ecosystems. Along with the Australian white ibis (or "bin chicken"), there are two other species that roam our waterways - the strawnecked ibis and glossy ibis.

Strawnecked ibis can be distinguished from white ibis by their black backs and wings and distinctive straw-like feathers at the front of their necks. The glossy ibis is much smaller and is a mixture of reddish brown and iridescent green-and purple in colour.

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Glossy ibis live in shallow wetlands throughout inland NSW using their long-curved bill to feed on frogs, snails and aquatic insects.

The strawnecked ibis is sometimes known as the "farmers friend", as they love to gorge on grasshoppers and locusts that threaten crops.

They depend on healthy wetlands to build their nests, and unlike their cousins, the white ibis, these birds are not likely to be found raiding urban bins and avoid humans.

With more water around, birds like ibis are beginning an important nesting ritual - trampling.

The trampling stage of nesting occurs when waterbirds begin to construct their nests, squashing wetland plants like lignum to create a soft and protected home for their chicks.

Water naturally filling wetlands may encourage bird breeding events, but if wetlands dry out too quickly, the birds will be unable to successfully complete their breeding cycle.

To delay the time it takes for wetlands to dry out, water for the environment is used to "top up" the wetland and maintain breeding conditions, finishing what nature has begun.

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