2 Mar bird survey
After a couple of hot and drier months than usual, the levels of the two larger water bodies are the lowest they have been since early 2020, but not as low as over a decade ago. Despite the dropping levels more waterbirds are visiting Westgate Park, possibly because other wetlands elsewhere in central and western Victoria are becoming totally dry. Increasing numbers of birds include Pied Stilts and Black-fronted Dotterels around the edge of the saltwater lake, and unusually high numbers of Hoary-headed Grebes, Hardheads and Eurasian Coots plus Australian Pelicans on the freshwater lake.
Interestingly, whilst last month we observed many Superb Fairy Wrens in blue plumage, this month there were almost none, although many were observed with eclipse plumage. Changing back early to eclipse plumage is a sign of stress for the wrens, no doubt due to the extremely dry conditions in the park and elsewhere, resulting in less available food.
Almost no additional species were recorded on eBird for February that were not encountered during today’s bird survey. But there were 3 notable exceptions, a juvenile Sacred Kingfisher, male Australasian Shoveler and a Brown Goshawk all seen and photographed by our regular photographer, Ursula.
Working with Ausbats
The Australian Bat Society is now helping us promote our microbat project. The next monitoring is on 29 March 7pm to 9pm. We will meet at the BBQ shelter, check what’s in the microbat boxes and try to identify the species when in flight using our echo locators.
There is growing interest in the important role microbats play in nature and we are keen to welcome people new to the experience.
9 Feb bird survey
Two raptors were seen over the park today, but could not be identified. Based on a recent sighting (7/2) reported on eBird it’s possible they were either a Brown Goshawk and/or an Australian Hobby. This survey was remarkable for the very low numbers of Silver Gulls observed within and over the park.
Several water bird species have been breeding in the park over the last few months and are continuing to raise their chicks. They include Chestnut Teal, Purple Swamphens and Pied Stilts. A pair of Hoary-headed Grebes are constructing a nest, but are yet to lay eggs.
The continuing dry weather has evaporated water from both major lakes, with the saltwater lake starting to turn pink – a development now obvious to travelers on Westgate Bridge.
The series of fires lit by vandals during the last months of 2024 has had distressing effects. Most were in densely vegetated corners of the park. However, many plants have since recovered through root suckers or epicormic (canopy and trunk) shoots.
Apparently large numbers of bats roosted under the roof of the HWT works. The bat survey group at Westgate Park reports that since it was recently demolished, only one bat has been observed in the park.
Westgate Park cleanup 2 March
ACF Community Macnamara is teaming up with Westgate Biodiversity and Tangaroa Blue Foundation for a big clean-up event at the beautiful Westgate Park, Port Melbourne – 10.45 am Sunday 2nd March.
We are holding this event along the narrow strip of Westgate Park which runs alongside the Birrarung (Yarra River). Revegetated and maintained over decades by volunteers, the park is an inspiring example of how a healthy ecosystem can be recreated within an urban environment. However, this location is a real magnet for litter!
Bring your family and friends if you wish or just come along to chat with other like-minded people!
At our clean-up event, we will document the marine debris and litter removed from the park in the Australian Marine Debris Initiative database which is a repository for data which (after quality review) is then used to identify litter and marine debris type and items, potential release sources, improve awareness and understanding of the impacts of litter and marine debris and to develop source reduction plans and interventions to stop litter at the source.
Here’s the program:
10:45 – 11:00 am (sharp) Registration
11:00 am-11:15 pm Introduction to the volunteer activities & safety briefing
11:15 am-12:45 pm Clean up
12:45 pm – 1:00 pm Celebrate our impact, and pack down.
Address: Westgate Park, Corner Lorimer Street & Sardine Street, Port Melbourne
Google Maps GPS coordinates: 37°49’49.0″S 144°54’00.5″E
What to Bring
A hat, sunscreen, jacket, reusable water bottle, enclosed shoes, gloves (extra gloves will be available). Some fruit and water refills will be available. Feel free to bring some snacks to get you through the event.
We look forward to seeing you!
ACF Community Macnamara, Westgate Biodiversity and Tangaroa Blue Foundation.
ACF Community Macnamara is part of a network of independently organised, volunteer-run groups in the ACF community. ACF will pass on your contact details to the host for the purpose of running the event.
Celebrating Wetlands Day
One third of Westgate Park’s area is in freshwater and saltwater lakes, lagoons, ponds and soaks. Without them the Park would be much less lovely and we would not have the lake views and the many birds and other animals that depend on water.
Wetlands provide so much. They filter nutrients and sediments, reduce impacts of flooding by slowing down floodwater, provide good habitat for plants and animals and often refuge when water bodies dry up to the north. The food chain would be restricted without the insects that breed in water such as dragonflies.
Apart from the salt lake our wetlands are shallow and often dry up over summer.
Sadly the Park does not have a handy creek to top up the lakes but we do receive stormwater from Wharf Road and from the bridge when fire testing is done. We can also use the windmill to direct water from one water body to another, very slowly!
The salt lake is becoming a muddy pink colour which is interesting but it is a sign that the water has become hyper saline.
Please do not walk around the salt lake edge. Saltmarsh plants are succulent and slow growing and they do not tolerate trampling. Like other plants in the Park these were planted and tended by volunteers.
Mistletoe
It’s been a joy to watch the two species of mistletoe grow, produce strange and beautiful flowers and now finally the berries have ripened for Amyema quandang var quandang – Grey Mistletoe. We are now waiting for the mistletoe birds!
Fires in the Park
Several small fires and two quite large ones were lit in the last few months. It is likely to be deliberate but we don’t know for sure. Some areas appear to have been very hot burns and others smouldered in peaty soil. The fire brigades were on hand quickly and water bombing was used to extinguish flames.
We will watch recovery over time and already some of the sedges are sprouting but there will clearly be the need for more planting. Parks Vic had to scrape some areas and remedial work will be needed.
We will also be keen to see what if any post fire seed germination takes place.
13 Jan bird survey
Evaporation accompanying recent hot weather lowered the levels of both lakes, especially the saline one. Indeed, before the rain on Sunday 12 January, this water body, viewed from the bridge, appeared to be starting to turn pink.
We are very concerned that, during late November and throughout December, vandals lit several fires in the park. Although quickly controlled by Fire Rescue Victoria, these fires caused considerable local damage to habitat and understory vegetation nurtured over the years by our volunteers.
A high number of species were recorded today, but almost all typically occur in the park at this time of the year. The only unusual sighting ‘bird of the day’ was a single Great Crested Grebe on the Yarra River.
Over the past few weeks, the most notable observation was a pair of Buff-banded Rails with one chick. A high number of other species have been breeding and have young at various stages of growth including Dusky Moorhens, Pied Stilts (two breeding pairs), Chestnut Teal, Pied Currawongs, Grey Butcherbirds and Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes. Two pairs of Hoary-headed Grebes are attempting to construct nests in the large freshwater lake, but so far with little apparent success.
No raptors were recorded today, nor during the six weeks following the December survey.
24 Dec bird survey
This survey did not obtain the high number of species compared to recent counts, however it was still very satisfactory. Water levels have risen due to recent rain, for example the Saltwater Lake level was 0.75 m on 4 Nov – now it is 0.79 m. The Freshwater Lake level was not recorded.
Rarely seen species continue to visit the park including the single Great Crested Grebe seen today and on 18 November. Other notable sightings include a Pink-eared Duck, Eastern Spinebill, Sacred Kingfisher seen recently and a Buff-banded Rail in earlier in November.
