Author: Lyn

Highlights of the April survey were the high number of Grey Fantails – possibly four separate groups. And a sighting of an early visitor in the shape of a female Flame Robin, along the Yarra in the planted shoreline belts. This area is frequently used by fis...

After two difficult, COVID-affected years, Westgate Biodiversity and Bili Nursery Landcare is set to relaunch its volunteer program. Starting soon in the nursery, potential volunteers who have previously expressed an interest will be contacted with the aim of ...

Whether eating or being eaten, yabbies play a vital role in wetland ecosystems such as Westgate Park. Yabbies have been recorded in the park for more than a decade. Here’s a sighting from a survey conducted on 15/11/2010: “It was exciting to find a...

Forty-six bird species were sighted along the Westgate Park survey route on a humid but clear March day. When added to opportunistic sightings between surveys, a total of 64 species were sighted in February and early March. On the day itself, lake levels were ...

Lake levels are still very high, and the park is a pleasure to explore. Interesting species this month were an Australian Darter, a Brown Quail and a Budgerigar, the first for the park and apparently a wild bird rather than an aviary escapee, which unfortunate...

On Sunday, 13 Feb, Channel 9’s Postcards went to air featuring Westgate Park and a ride on the punt to Newport. If you missed it, see it here.

We are hiring! Westgate Biodiversity is looking for an admin assistant to take care of records, manage supplies, follow up enquiries, etc. one day/week. This is a paid position, based at Bili Nursery, 525 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne.  See&...

Westgate Park is home to the only area of saltmarsh to be found between the Yarra and the Mornington Peninsula. And native samphire (Sarcocornia quinqueflora), a succulent and edible plant, is a vital part of the saltmarsh environment. But there is a big probl...

Doubtless the hot weather contributed to lower bird numbers in this survey but nonetheless, 40 species were recorded and 62 Superb Fairy-wren were observed. In the photo bottom left, the Superb Fairy-wren with a dull red colour around the eye is a juvenile or ...

We’ve been having some notable successes at the Bili Nursery over recent months. Here’s a tray of river red gum seedlings (eucalyptus camaldulensis) prior to pricking out. Have a guess how many potentially towering trees there are in this tray. I s...