April 3 bird survey
Recent rains have freshened the park, which looks excellent. On the day of the survey, volunteers were weeding, collecting litter and maintaining tracks. The female Rose Robin has been present for a week or more. It was also interesting to see two Rufous Fantails feeding with a flock of eight Grey Fantails, and a Darter flying overhead.
Another point of interest: there are very few blue Superb Fairy Wrens at present in the park.
Comment by Andrew McCutcheon: On my recent travels I have visited several areas that are strongholds for Superb Fairy-wrens including Chiltern, Canberra Botanic Gardens, Mallacoota, and our block at Black Range in NSW, where I was able to identify which was the alpha (breeding) male in a large family group by its black markings on the face and bright blue tail. In all these locations I did not see one male wren in blue plumage; all have changed back into their eclipse plumage. This appears to be consistent with today’s bird count at Westgate Park, indicating some stress in environmental conditions or habitat. This is probably due to less food resources being available.
New in
| We have in stock these high-quality terra-cotta-coloured plastic pots, filled with plants that are perfect for balcony gardens. The pots are good for keeping the soil moist and we have topped them with good mulch. |
Wetlands and why we love them
Large areas of Victoria’s wetlands have been cleared and drained over time so it is not surprising that some aquatic species have become rare.
Sedges, rushes and aquatic herbs grow in wet or swampy areas – bogs, ponds and lake edges – providing excellent habitat for frogs, turtles, skinks, birds and many insects. A third of the area of Westgate Park is in wetlands and we grow and plant over 50 species in and around water.
The largest and most spectacular of the sedges is Cladium procerum – Leafy Twig-sedge – now listed as Rare in Victoria. It grows in several spots in the Park.
Bili Nursery has, for the first time, had success in propagating them by vegetive methods – growing the ‘pups’ or plantlets in a bog method where pots sit in 10cm of water on 25oC heat beds.
Weedy vine tackled
Araujia sericifera – Moth or milky vine – used to be a garden favourite but like so many weeds, it is a huge pest. It has been coming into the Park and we discovered the source is next door – the former Herald and Weekly Times printing works which have been empty for some time.
Araujia sericifera comes from South America, it climbs up to 2 meters, it’s tough, produces masses of seeds and has toxic sticky milky sap.
That’s why we pulled it out this week. Thank you George, Jackie and David!
Disappearing plants
Though not listed as threatened in Victoria, many of the 320 native plant species that once existed in the Melbourne region have all but disappeared. (Ref Flora of Melbourne) This makes Westgate Park and Bili Nursery important in protecting and conserving this diversity.
You can help by planting these species in your garden. Below are some of the rare plants we currently have in stock at Bili Nursery. Phone us on 0492 972 652 to order or just call in at 525 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne.
Brachyscome multifida – Cut-leaf Daisy
Lasiopetalum baueri – Slender Velvet-bush
Malva preissiana – Australian Hollyhock
Podolepis jaceoides – Showy Podolepis
Brachyscome basaltica – Basalt Swamp Daisy
Lythrum salicaria – Purple Loosestrife (now in bloom and looking stunning in the compound lagoon at Westgate Park)
Mentha australis – River Mint (edible)
Jan 12 bird survey
A memorable survey. Common Sandpipers had long been expected, but this seems to be the first time the species has been recorded, in this case near the tug pier on the lower Yarra River. (There is a dead seal nearby on the riverbank.)
The female Musk Duck is also most unusual, although again one would expect this species to be present from time to time. No raptors and few New Holland Honeyeaters sighted, but Black-winged Stilts are back, and nesting, after an absence of some six months.
Dr Kylie Soanes at our AGM
We had the great pleasure in hearing about the work of Dr Kylie Soanes who is an urban ecologist at the University of Melbourne in the School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences.
She investigates creative and practical ways to conserve biodiversity in cities and towns, working with industry and government to develop a strong evidence base for urban conservation.
She speaks about her recent research on the state of urban biodiversity conservation in Australia, and details some current projects underway in Melbourne.
Well worth a listen!
Happy Christmas!
Bili Nursery, 525 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne, will be open over the Christmas period – 9-4 weekdays, 10-3 Saturdays – closed public holidays.
We hope to see you there.
Dec 5 Bird survey
The survey was carried out on a bleak day and yielded a lower result than usual. However, it was very pleasing to see how much insect life there is, especially, currently, various dragonfly species. Water levels are higher than for over a decade, eliminating habitat for dotterels and stilts, for example.
Photos: Ursula Dutkiewicz
Nov 7 Bird survey
Both major lakes are very full – more than for at least a decade. Accordingly, wetland species numbers are down, mostly because of the current depth of these water bodies and many other newly formed areas of water offering good feeding opportunities outside the park. On the other hand, although the survey results were modest, several interesting species have been observed this month, notably the Brown Quail, Olive-backed Oriole, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, and Sacred Kingfisher.
The survey team would like to pay tribute to the late Daniel Gilmore, a professional zoologist who visited the park often and was generous with his advice and encouragement. He leaves many friends behind.
Photos Ursula Dutkiewicz