Correa alba – White Correa
Winter for many native plants is a time for recovery; recovery from hot, dry periods and a time to settle in and make the most of the impending rain. This stasis-like mode allows many plants to burst into growth and flower when the spring warmth and light comes. This normally means lots of winter greenery and not many flowers.
One plant genus that flowers through the winter is the Correa family. Their pale green, red and white petals are lovely beacons of colour through winter.
Correa reflexa 
Correa reflexa 
Correa reflexa 
Correa alba Correa alba
Correa alba is a coastal plant with matte green leaves with white and hairy undersides. The flower is star shape and white, flowering from now right through winter to spring. The star shaped flower is one sign it belongs to the Rutaceae family (oranges and lemons). We love it so much that we made it our logo!
This Correa can grow on the coastal front (not minding seaspray). Full sun and a bit of water in the depths of summer will see it grow to up to 2m, however they can be trimmed at almost any height to form a hedge.
Correa alba was also used as a tea substitute that supposedly tastes like Earl Grey. And provides vital food for insects and birds when not much else is flowering. It is one of two local correas – the other being Correa reflexa – and both are available for sale in small quantities at our nursery.
Pink lake explained
Salt Lake at Westgate Park 
Purple sulphur bacteria cells
The pinkness has gone now, no doubt because of cooler weather, recent rain and less sunshine, but it was certainly spectacular while it lasted.
We now understand, thanks to sampling by freshwater ecologist, Joan Powling, that this explosion of colour was made by a purple sulphur bacteria, probably Chromatium species, the cells of which are packed with sulphur granules.
Purple sulphur bacteria are natural photosynthetic microorganisms. They produce their own food through photosynthesis, can reduce environmentally harmful organic compounds, lower methane gases and fix carbon and nitrogen.
They are found in anoxic aquatic habitats where hydrogen sulphide accumulates.
See here and here for more about purple sulphur bacteria on Wikipedia.
The aquatic plant we see each year in the Freshwater Lake was identified as the macrophyte Ruppia sp., a native perennial found in lakes of elevated salinity. It is an important food source for waterfowl and it does appear to be consumed by Black Swans.
Freshwater Lake
Bili Nursery working bees
We would love to have you join our Bili Nursery team on any of the first Saturdays of each month from now until the end of the year.
We will be cleaning, sorting, propagating and consolidating our stock of locally native plants.
Our aims are to:
- increase the plants available for retail
- prepare for the City of Melbourne Gardens for Wildlife project
- improve local biodiversity
It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about the 200 or so plants we grow, their propagation and care.
Getting there: Bili Nursery is at 525 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne (next to Port Melbourne Football oval and not far from the corner of Ingles Street and the North Port Light Rail station.)
I'm interested in being part of Bili Nursery working bees
Please fill out the form so we know to expect you and for more information email us at bilinursery@westgatebiodiversity.org.au or call 9645 2477.
May 2019 bird survey
On the survey date drought was still biting at Westgate Park, which received very little rain in late April and early May. All lakes were very low, with exposed mud connecting the freshwater lake’s islands, and the freshwater dam almost completely dry. However, freshwater wetlands near the compound, along the HWT fence and in the new chain of ponds beyond the bridge still contained reasonable quality water. The salt lake had an intense pink algal bloom on the survey date, with algal blooms still developing in some smaller salt lakes.
(In late May, the situation is slightly better after very recent light rains, but the pink colouration is dissipating.)
Drought has also claimed numerous trees and shrubs, including some large eucalypts and banksias. Unfortunately, the many visitors strolling around the pink lake create unofficial paths, trample vegetation such as saltbush and discourage waterbirds and shore birds.
Interesting/notable sightings included an Australian Hobby high up a Todd Road communications tower, a fairly rare visitor. White-naped Honeyeaters are unusual – although just one bird was sighted along the HWT fence, as the species is sociable there were probably more around. Painted Button-quail platelets (leaf litter brushed away in circular patterns when the birds seek food) were reported from the park’s south-eastern corner. Both Royal and Yellow-billed Spoonbills were sighted in April – see photos below by Ursula Dutkiewicz. Four Pacific Gulls, including one first-year bird, were seen along the Yarra.
Yellow-billed Spoonbills 
Royal Spoonbill (right) Yellow-billed Spoonbill
April 2019 bird survey
Black-winged Stilt 
Musk Lorikeet 
Red-kneed Dotterel 
Whistling Kite
After many dry months and just 3 mm of rain in March, Westgate Park is severely stressed, with numerous dead shrubs and trees, especially narrow-leafed peppermints and banksias. Although some eucalypts, including the large Ironbark near the windmill, are flowering, the dry conditions appear to be reducing nectar, as they are drawing very few birds – mostly just Red Wattlebirds. Moreover, we saw only three blue male Superb Fairy-wrens out of 45 birds, indicating almost all males are now in their brown plumage.
Over March the water level in both main lakes dropped significantly, with the land bridge to the main island on the Large Freshwater Lake now exposed. Water quality here appears very good which accounts for the presence there of almost every waterbird recorded in today’s count. Virtually all other water bodies, including the western dam, are completely dry or very low. The Southern Wetlands (chain of ponds) remain an exception, holding water of good quality at mid levels, although not attracting many birds.
The Saltwater Lake is still deep pink with very little bird life on it, just two Black-winged Stilts.
Interesting/notable sightings:
• Two seasonal visitors seen for the first time this year: three Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters (also heard on 30 March) and two brown Flame Robins along the Yarra River
• Some eucalypts along the Yarra are in flower and luring lots of birds, including Musk and Rainbow Lorikeets and most of the New Holland Honeyeaters encountered
March 2019 bird survey
After a long run of extreme heat and almost no rain in January and February park vegetation is stressed, with some shrubs dying. Nevertheless, the survey produced exciting results and 53 species.
Pink Salt Lake 
Superb Fairy-wren 
Superb Fairy-wren changing plumage 
Pied Currawong 
Black Duck.Mallard hybrid 
Goshawk
A larger than usual range of land-based bird species observed included a Sacred Kingfisher, Striated Pardalote, Rufous Fantail and Grey Fantails. The very dry conditions in Melbourne and much of Central Victoria are probably encouraging some bird species to move seeking suitable habitat, and others may be starting their seasonal overland migrations early.
Although still plentiful, almost all blue male Superb Fairy-wrens are changing their plumage from blue to brown much earlier than usual, a sign of stress from drought and reduced food supplies. The dry vegetation could also explain a much lower count of White-plumed Honeyeaters than usual.
As observed last month the water levels in the main lakes are high, but almost all other smaller waterbodies, including Railway Dam, are dry or very low. The Southern Wetlands is an exception, holding water of good quality at mid levels.
The Saltwater Lake’s deep pink algal bloom delights overseas tourists. Compared to last month the number and diversity of shorebirds on the lake edge is much reduced with only a few Black-winged Stilts seen this survey. Most of those recorded around this lake last month, including a pair of Red-kneed Dotterels, are now using Large Freshwater Lake.
Interesting/notable sightings: The Eastern Spinebill reported by Samuel Burckhardt on ebird is the park’s first sighting of this species. As woodland areas grow and mature this is one of many bushland bird species, like Brown Thornbills, that may become regular visitors or resident in the park.
4 great workshops
Pollinators & Westgate Park, Summer Citizen Science workshop Sun 10 March 10.30am – 1.30pm
At this workshop, you will learn to identify several insect pollinators, including native and non-native bees and butterflies. We will then visit the pollinator observatories to make observations of plant-insect interactions. This is the seventh (and final!) in this series of workshops. See here for more details and to book. Free.
Native Kokedama Workshop, Sat 30 March 11.30am-1pm, Bili Nursery
Learn how to make a Kokedama (hanging planter) using local native species. Kokedama; a Japanese method of creating a moss-bound ball planter. See here for more details and to book. $40
Native Terrarium Workshop, Sat 13 April, 12-1pm, Bili Nursery
Terrariums are a great way to build your own self contained ecosystem. In this workshop we will be showing you how to build one, maintain it and watch it flourish. We will learn all about sand belt plants and ecosystems, and how that can guide you so you can build your own terrarium. See here for more details and to book. $40
Weaving Workshop With Local Native Fibres, Sat 27 April, 1-4pm, Bili Nursery
Using locally harvested native plants, learn how to create your own coiled basket. The core material is visible and can either be a single plant fibre or mixed fibres. Add a bit of colour with found materials such as fabric scraps and wool. Options for stitching materials include hemp twine, raffia or strong cotton. See here for more details and to book. $65
Bili Nursery open Sat 23 Mar
Bili Nursery (525 Williamstown Road, Port Melb) closes on Saturdays over summer and will be open again for trading from 23 March 2019.
Gardens for Wildlife
Help us preserve local biodiversity and protect habitat by volunteering for Gardens for Wildlife Melbourne.
The City of Melbourne in partnership with Westgate Biodiversity: Bili Nursery & Landcare, is initiating a Gardens for Wildlife Melbourne pilot program and seeking community involvement to establish a local program.
and find out more about how you can be involved in the program. This interactive information evening and social event is a fantastic opportunity to share your ideas about wildlife gardening in Melbourne.
Volunteer meet & greet 21 March 2019 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Bili Nursery, 525 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne
See here for more and to register. Places at this event are free but numbers are limited.
Gardens for Wildlife is an exciting program that provides the community with inspiration for providing habitat in their gardens so local wildlife can flourish. Volunteers work in pairs to visit the gardens of new members and provide examples and ideas that encourage gardeners to value local biodiversity and conserve indigenous flora and fauna.
Gardens for Wildlife Victoria is a state-wide network of community group and local government partnerships active in more than 25 municipalities across Victoria. The network supports collaboration, connections and wellbeing alongside environmental objectives.
Private landholders manage a similar proportion of land in our municipality as the City of Melbourne; so protection and enhancement of our urban environment by private landholders is critical for achieving healthy ecosystems and thriving biodiversity.
By participating in the program and becoming engaged in wildlife gardening, you too are a volunteer helping our community to foster local nature.
City of Melb Waterbug Blitz
Results of water sampling show that our two sites and those from Royal Park have the highest number of waterbugs and habitat ratings. Westgate Park samples showed the most species or biodiversity.
| WESTGATE PARK | |||
| Date of monitoring | 20 Oct 2018 | ||
| Site name | Dam outlet | ||
| Specific name | Common name | SIGNAL SCORE | Raw count |
| Physa acuta | Marbled menace | 2 | 10 |
| Family Chironomidae, several genera | Blood worms | 4 | 3 |
| Family Culicidae | Mosquito larvae | 1 | 1 |
| Family Dytiscidae | Two-tailed tiger | 6 | 2 |
| Families Tabanidae, Dolichopodidae, Empididae some Tipulidae | Assorted River- ine maggots | 3 | 7 |
| Family Corixidae, Genus Sigara | Striped boatmen | 4 | 1 |
| Family Hydrophilidae | Water scavenger beetles | 2 | 2 |
| Phylum Turbellaria | Flatworms | 2 | 1 |
| Family Chironomidae | Chironomids | 4 | 1 |
| Diaprepocoris barycephala | Barry four-eyes | 5 | 1 |
| Family Hydrophilidae, Genus Helochares | – | 2 | 2 |
| Family Ceratopogonidae | Biting midges | 4 | 1 |
| Date of monitoring | 20 Oct 2018 | ||
| Site name | Freshwater Lake | ||
| Specific name | Common name | SIGNAL SCORE | Raw count |
| Family Leptoceridae, Genus Triplectides | Stick caddis | 3 | 2 |
| Family Lestidae and Family Coenagrionidae | Leaf-tailed damselfly nymph | 1 | 2 |
| Coleoptera | Tiger beetle larvae | 1 | |
| Family Corixidae, Genus Sigara | Striped boatmen | 4 | 1 |
| Phylum Annelida, Class Hirudinea | Leech | 1 | 1 |
| Physa acuta | Marbled menace | 2 | 1 |
Notes by Ying, our WaterWatch Coordinator:
In summary, we found approximately 16 different taxa groups across two sites at the dam outlet and the freshwater lake (closer to the saltwater lake). More taxa groups are found in dam outlet and have a higher average SIGNAL score compared to the freshwater lake.
This SIGNAL score is a bio-indicator index for macroinvertebrates that indicates whether the macroinvertebrates are sensitive to the pollution level in the site. Each macroinvertebrate has been assigned a SIGNAL score of 1-10 and we calculate the overall SIGNAL score to determine how healthy our site is (e.g waterways, wetland). A higher SIGNAL score indicates healthy and less polluted sites. Urban sites usually have a lower SIGNAL score as there are more stormwater runoff and other urban pollution. Hence, we were not surprised to see many bugs with high pollution tolerance level (e.g. bloodworms, mosquito larvae).
I did not calculate the overall SIGNAL score for our sites as the calculation is based on a waterway site and not a wetland. What we found so far is quite indicative of how healthy our sites are and the results are pretty good considering these samples are taken within 15 mins of each and they are only a tiny part of the site.
I definitely think that there are a lot more waterbugs out there that we have not surveyed!