Recent rains have re-invigorated the park, with recent monthly surveys registering 60 bird species or more, but for today and over July the total has dropped slightly to 58. Today’s survey revealed some notable sightings including the Powerful Owl still present in the park now making it a total of two and a half months after the initial sighting on 19 May, two raptor species – a Black-shouldered Kite and Peregrine Falcon, and finally at least three Crested Tern in flight over the river feeding on small fish.

Whereas possum numbers are under pressure thanks to the presence of the Powerful Owl (or owls), it is heartening to note a reported sighting of a Rakali Hydromys chrysogaster, spotted by Mark Heath a park volunteer, and of various reptiles – this month a Weasel Skink Saproscincus mustelinus. Rakali are a beautiful aquatic rodent frequently seen in the vicinity of St Kilda pier, but have also been spotted in Albert Park Lake, Elwood Canal and Hobsons Bay foreshore from Port Melbourne to Elwood.

Two images taken in the 1980’s recently brought to our attention show what Westgate Park looked like over forty years ago – a treeless wasteland. They clearly indicate what can be achieved in three to four decades to create a natural landscape consisting of lakes and indigenous vegetation that now provides habitat for over 170 recorded bird species (still increasing!) just 5 kilometers from Melbourne’s CBD.

With cold weather in the offing, the surveyors expected a modest result, but in fact were very pleased. There are large numbers of waterfowl in the freshwater lake, and far more than usual along the saltwater shoreline. Despite the advent of rain, both major bodies are still low, but have not declined to the minima of earlier periods. Significant sightings today include a Whistling Kite flying over the park, Collared Sparrowhawk, Pied Oystercatcher in flight over the Yarra River and a Darter beside the Yarra River. Chestnut and Grey Teal are present in higher than usual numbers on both major lakes

We hope to deal with the Red Fox, which is most likely the culprit to have killed half a dozen cygnets. The single surviving cygnet was last photographed on 6 June by Ursula and has not been sighted since. Work is underway on re-creating native grassland close to where the railway passed under Westgate Bridge. We have never seen birds on that particular triangular patch, until now when Willie Wagtails have frequented the site, feeding around the upturned soil.

It appears that the two Powerful Owls, first a female seen on 19 May followed by a male that was recorded during the 2 June survey are both still in the park. They have been seen regularly throughout June, but only on one day, 9 th June both, a female and a male were seen in two separate trees not too far apart. On all the other days only one of them was seen. The male has been more frequently sighted (six times) on June 6, 9, 11, 16, 18 and July 2. On two of those days the male had prey under his foot, a Magpie Lark on the 11 th and a Ringtail Possum on the 16th . The female was recorded twice on 9 th June with a Ringtail Possum under her foot, and again on 28 th June.

In addition to the Powerful Owls other significant records for June are two raptors, a Brown Goshawk and Black-shouldered Kite, Buff-banded Rail, Royal Spoonbill, White-necked Heron and a Rufous Whistler. Of interest were numbers way higher than usual of House Sparrows at 150+ on 28 th June and Chestnut Teal at 110 on 2 nd July.

An issue of concern as reported by Ursula is that the number of surviving Black Swan cygnets is diminishing and now down to three from an original total of six (5 on 23/5 and 4 on 26/5). The cause of this decline is most likely Red Fox predation with further proof after Ursula located their den in the park. Parks Victoria (or should it be Melbourne CC?) have been informed and hopefully some action will be taken to eradicate these ferals from the park. This should be followed up by someone representing Westgate Biodiversity to ensure action has been taken, as the survival of many other birds could be at stake.

The most significant observations over the past month have been brief visits by two Powerful Owls, first a female on 19 May followed by a male that was recorded today. Also, Ursula managed to capture some rarely taken images of the Musk Duck with prey and coming up on land to rest – usually they remain on the water.

The occasional light rain over the last month has brought little relief and scattered trees continue to die across the park. However, the ford to the island in the freshwater lake is still under water. Nevertheless, as the above list shows, the biodiversity of the park continues to be pleasing. Moreover, the number of swallows suggests reasonable insect populations.

Water levels in the main lakes continue to fall, which probably encourages waders, such as egrets and herons, to return to the park. The Black Swans have just reared six cygnets, which is unusual in abnormally dry conditions we are now experiencing. In other wetland areas around Melbourne, such as the Eastern Treatment Plant the swans are not breeding.

Besides the two raptors – both photographed beautifully by Peter Petinatos – the highlight was hearing the call of a Mistletoe-bird. We have been waiting for this species to come to the park in response to the program over the last 2-3 years that broadly introduced several species of mistletoe. Mistletoe is a very useful plant in that it increases food supplies for insects and birds by flowering during summer and autumn; provides cover and nesting sites; and recycles nutrients. And the flowers are very appealing.

There have been some very interesting sightings over the last month, particularly an immature female Rose Robin, Southern Boobook (both nicely photographed by Ursula), Yellow-billed Spoonbill and Red-rumped Parrot. The latter, recorded and hopefully correctly identified on eBird could well become established in Westgate Park as the red gums mature. They could make use of the nest boxes already provided.

There has been very little rain over the last two months. However, both major lakes are low, but nowhere near the extremes experienced earlier this century when there was a ford linking the island to the mainland in the freshwater lake. The Salt Lake is brown in colour rather than the usual pink and has a considerable amount of what appears to be blue-green algae along the eastern shoreline. Chestnut Teal were feeding on this alga, sipping it from the surface.

Pied Stilts have apparently left the park for now, but overall waterbird numbers, especially Chestnut Teal have increased somewhat. The team was pleased to spot a female Musk Duck, possibly the same bird that has been in the park for two years or so. Welcome Swallows appeared more abundant, and there were several small groups of Grey Fantails. Brown Thornbills and Red-browed Finches are almost always recorded these days, and the two female Golden Whistlers also indicate the quality of habitat in the park. Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters have returned for the cooler seasons.

The mistletoe introduction program has been successful across the park, but some will be lost due to their host trees (mostly acacias) dying in abnormally dry conditions.

Bat boxes are gradually being occupied, with two bat species recorded in recent months by the regular survey team formed specifically for that purpose. They are Gould’s Wattled Bat and Little Forest Bat. Noisy Miner numbers in the park were higher than usual but mostly restricted along the edge of Todd Road and in and around the CFMEU Headquarters.