Moulting Lagoon Important Bird Area, Protected wetland at Great Oyster Bay, Tasmania, Australia
Moulting Lagoon is a large wetland system covering roughly 4,500 hectares, with deep and shallow waters alongside tidal mudflats and saltmarsh zones. These areas sit where Swan and Apsley Rivers meet the sea, creating a complex network of habitats.
The site gained international recognition as a Ramsar wetland in 1982, a major step in protecting it. This status committed Australia to preserving the area's natural features for the future.
The Paredarerme Aboriginal Nation established deep roots in this region, leaving behind multiple heritage sites now protected by law. Visitors walking along the water can encounter physical traces of this long presence.
The site is easiest to reach via Coles Bay Road, where several viewing points provide access to the lagoon. Bird watching is best from spring through autumn, when many species pass through or settle for the season.
The name comes from black swans that gather here each year to shed and regrow their flight feathers, a process that shapes the landscape during moulting season. This seasonal transformation makes it a distinctly notable place for witnessing natural cycles.
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