Acacia time
The indigenous Acacias in Westgate Park are looking spectacular and it will be a bumper season for flowers, pollen and seeds.
At Bili Nursery we propagate 13 species of Acacia; everything from tall forest trees to low shrubs. There is no indigenous genus in Victoria that is more diverse, more showy, more important to fauna or hardier than wattles.
Now is the wake-up time for insects ready to feast on Acacia’s pollen and new growth, kicking off the food-chain that sustains birds, native bees, microbats, skinks and so much more.
Interesting facts:
- Acacia flowers produce pollen but not nectar. That said, the phyllode glands do secrete a sugary substance and ants, bees, butterflies and other insects have been observed feeding on these secretions.
- Pollen is the microscopic grain produced by the male parts of the plant when it flowers. For Acacia flowers the pollen is relatively heavy (compared to grasses) and needs to be carried to the female parts of the plant to reproduce so it is unlikely to be responsible hayfever. See here for more on this.
1 July bird survey
Despite the cold and very recent rain, the survey produced gratifying results. Especially pleasing were the numbers of small birds: Red-browed Finches seem to be increasing in number; Golden Whistlers have been present for some months now; Eastern Spinebills have returned; and as usual Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters are in the park over winter.
Moreover, raptors seem to be back. Just as rewarding are the reports and photographs, especially those from Ursula Dutkiewicz, for the month of June.
3 June bird survey
Water levels have been slightly raised by recent showers. Whilst the weather for the survey was unprepossessing, the largest group of observers for a long while enjoyed itself greatly.
The highlights were sighting three raptor species, a Pacific Gull, a spectacular flight of 50 Little Black Cormorants, the frequency of Spotted Pardalotes and the continued good health of the latest batch of six cygnets living with their parents on the freshwater lake.
The frequency of sightings of Brown Goshawks including one in flight today, could well be they are attracted by the high numbers of bush birds present within the park, especially honeyeaters and lorikeets.
Microbat in box!
On our walk last Sunday, we were delighted to discover, we think, a Gould’s Wattled Bat (male) in one of our nest boxes. This microbat is larger and more common than most.
We witnessed microbats in flight across the night sky and our echo meters were flat out with recordings. Conditions were not ideal, however. A full moon means microbats are more visible and therefore vulnerable to being snatched by owls and other nocturnal birds which may explain the absence of smaller microbat species.
If you would like to join us on our next walk in Westgate Park and learn more about microbats and their importance to ecology, let us know here.
May 6 bird survey
The park has had relatively little rain, so water levels are dropping. Nevertheless, this was another interesting survey with over 50 species and small passerines were well represented. Moreover, the survey team two Eastern Spinebills, spotted but could not identify a female robin, and also a raptor that was possibly a Nankeen Kestrel. The number of Musk Lorikeets is pleasing – this species has been seen frequently around the Southport area this autumn.
Finally, sightings of White-naped Honeyeaters are unusual at Westgate Park. The last recorded sighting for this species was a single bird on 6 May 2019.
Thanks to Rotary Albert Park
We are very grateful for a new cabinet to house our spraying equipment, generously funded by Rotary Albert Park. These chemicals need to be properly stored but the cabinet comes at some cost so thanks again!
April 8 bird survey
For the several observers, this was a memorable survey. Particularly interesting were the swarms of Grey Fantails, with one Rufous Fantail tagging along in the undergrowth; the larger than usual number of Red Wattlebirds; the single female Flame Robin; and a Golden Whistler, not seen but the distinctive call was clearly heard. Regarding the fantails, during March and April, Grey and Rufous Fantails migrate eastwards from southwestern Victoria, and then north to warmer climates, ending up in Queensland.
Although not a record for the park, the 54 species recorded on the day is nonetheless pleasing, given also that we saw a raptor but could not identify it as it was seen for a brief fraction of a second. Accordingly, the tally is 55 species. Following the extreme dry period from mid-January to the end of March, the Park has recovered quickly after good steady rain over the last week.
Water level remains high in the Saltwater lake and adjacent saline lakes, the Large Freshwater Lake and the dam. Other smaller freshwater bodies are yet to fill. The vegetation is recovering well, but a high number of small trees and shrubs did not survive the hot dry conditions.
This short stressful period had an impact on the Superb Fairy-wrens, as the males change from their blue plumage into brown eclipse plumage when the environmental conditions become unfavorable. Despite a high number of wrens counted today, no males were found in blue plumage.
Thanks for our new trailer!
Our trailer is now in operation, here on the Wharf Road Triangle – a long strip of land recently added to the Park. It’s a sturdy trailer now protected by wheel clamps and a new security system so we are confident it won’t be stolen again.
We could not have afforded to purchase this equipment without the donations of so many people through GoFundMe. $4,400 was raised – a great effort!
The other good news is the steady growth of plants along our boundary with Boeing. These plants have not been watered since January but are doing OK, thanks to the good work of volunteers, including lots of corporate groups, in mulching and planting. This month is likely to be the dryest on record for March and follows a hot and very dry February.
It won’t be long before the Boeing carpark disappears behind lush growth.