5 Oct bird survey

Some 50 mm of rain fell on Westgate Park on Friday 2 – Saturday 3 October. On Monday 5 October, a dozen volunteers joined the regular survey team as part of the Birrarung Riverfest, run by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association to promote greater community interest in, knowledge of and empathy for the river, which has been so important to Victoria over the millennia, including since the arrival of Europeans.

Two of the park’s most recent additions are biodegradable art installations ‘straw-towers’ at Railway Dam at the western end of Freshwater Lake, which double as small nesting towers. We are pleased to report that Superb Fairy-wrens have already seized this opportunity to surmount the housing crisis. No doubt Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoos and Grey Butcherbirds will soon be doorknocking.

This survey is remarkable for the minute number of Rainbow Lorikeets. It seems unlikely such a small number will continue.