IT MIGHT have had something to do with the incredible weather. It could've been connected with the number of people spending their Christmas breaks in Launceston. Whatever the reason, the result was clear. The Tamar River Conservation Area has been brimming with visitors. Cold conditions lingered longer than usual in Launceston this year, keeping all but the most diehard of wetland wanderers away from the Riverside site. Fair-weather explorers returned in droves on Friday and over the weekend, enjoying the reserve's scenic mud flats, lagoons and islands while the sun beamed down on the waterways. Volunteer wetlands guide John Geering said the tourist destination was the busiest it had been for ages. ``We've had more people through today [Friday] than any time I can recall recently,'' he said. ``And a great number of the visitors are from interstate and overseas.'' Bird lovers were spoilt by sightings of great egrets, flights of swallows and cinnamon brown night herons. But not everybody was impressed by slithering guests enjoying warm weather on the complex's boardwalks. Sightings of poisonous red copperhead snakes left some visitors feeling slightly on edge. Volunteers were on hand to remind people to steer well clear of the shy creatures, which are always likely to retreat when humans come too close for comfort. The conservation area is open every day from dawn until dusk.
IT MIGHT have had something to do with the incredible weather.
It could've been connected with the number of people spending their Christmas breaks in Launceston.
Whatever the reason, the result was clear.
The Tamar River Conservation Area has been brimming with visitors.
Cold conditions lingered longer than usual in Launceston this year, keeping all but the most diehard of wetland wanderers away from the Riverside site.
Fair-weather explorers returned in droves on Friday and over the weekend, enjoying the reserve's scenic mud flats, lagoons and islands while the sun beamed down on the waterways.
Volunteer wetlands guide John Geering said the tourist destination was the busiest it had been for ages.
``We've had more people through today [Friday] than any time I can recall recently,'' he said.
``And a great number of the visitors are from interstate and overseas.''
Bird lovers were spoilt by sightings of great egrets, flights of swallows and cinnamon brown night herons.
But not everybody was impressed by slithering guests enjoying warm weather on the complex's boardwalks.
Sightings of poisonous red copperhead snakes left some visitors feeling slightly on edge.
Volunteers were on hand to remind people to steer well clear of the shy creatures, which are always likely to retreat when humans come too close for comfort.
The conservation area is open every day from dawn until dusk.
Tamar River Conservation Area volunteer guide John Geering, of Legana. Picture: PHILLIP BIGGS
