Gardening Aust comes to Park
We were delighted that ABC’s Gardening Australia film crew came to the Park. The episode was aired on Friday 28th May and you can see it on iView or here on Facebook for just our segment of the show.
It was a great opportunity to showcase our indigenous plants and tell the story of the park, our 20-year history of revegetation and the biodiversity in fauna and fungi that turned up because of it.
Thank you ABC!
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Bird survey April
Water levels have dropped over the last month. Nevertheless, none of the larger waders were present. However, encountering both an Eastern Yellow Robin and an Eastern Spinebill was notable, and at least eight Black-fronted Dotterels were sighted around Saltwater Lake. Moreover there were many more Crested Terns than usual.
Bird Survey 1 Mar
A dry February has seen the lake levels drop somewhat, and the southern chain of ponds has no water to speak of.
The good news is that Westgate Biodiversity – Bili Nursery teams have been weeding extensively throughout the park, which accordingly looks terrific. One negative – continuing heavy public usage means litter builds up in some areas.
Interesting/notable sightings: A satisfying tally for the survey team. The presence of noisy miners along the northern boundary against the HWT fence is concerning. Fairy martins are rare visitors to Westgate. The little grassbird should be observed more frequently given the seemingly ideal habitat, so its readily identified call was welcome.
All photos, Ursula Dutkiewicz
Christmas arrangements
Our volunteers are taking a break from Westgate Park and Bili Nursery, starting again on Monday 6th January.
Bili Nursery, 525 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne will also open for retail trade on 6 January, weekdays only until end March.
We wish you a happy holiday break and look forward to a more normal 2021!
Gift vouchers
Bili Nursery propagates ~300 species of plants that are indigenous to the Melbourne Region.
What could be better than giving a gift of nature from Bili Nursery – the shop for beautiful native plants?
Gift vouchers for $25 and $50
Vouchers can be redeemed from Bili Nursery, 535 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne (next to the Port Melbourne footy ground
Our shop is open Monday to Friday and Saturdays 10am – 2 pm .
Bird survey Nov
Attached is the survey report, this time nicely illustrated with images taken by and kindly made available by Janine Duffy, while she was bird watching in the park.
The total number of species was 39, or 57 if all the species recorded on eBird are included.
Vegetation is in very good condition, but pandemic restrictions had stopped weeding and planting activities and, unfortunately, weeds are thriving. (On 16 November our volunteers were back at work .)
Litter continues to accumulate but a volunteer does weekly collections – thanks, David!
The park remains a lifeline for many local residents, and clearly several birdwatchers visit regularly and report interesting findings.
The photos were kindly made available by Janine Duffy, while she was bird watching in the Park.