January 15 bird survey
With such a prolonged series of heavy downpours over the last several weeks, the water bodies in the park are all very full. Indeed, as waterbirds in south-east Australia have a wide variety of current habitat choices, our numbers are fairly low.
It was pleasing to see a Great Crested Grebe on the Yarra just downstream from Westgate Bridge. As a group of 10-30 of this appealing species has been offshore in Hobsons Bay since late November, this observation was not unexpected. This is a new species for the park as none have been recorded since these monthly surveys commenced in March 2007. I (Andrew) do remember seeing a single Great Crested Grebe on the large freshwater lake in late 2006, before we kept any records of birds in the park.
Another equally welcome observation: five Little Grass Birds around the freshwater lake.
And an amazing photo by Ursula Dutkiewicz of the Long or Snake-necked Turtle with a Red and Blue Damselfly resting on its head.
December 4 bird survey
Continuing rains keep the park’s main water bodies nearly full.
The sighting of one Baillons Crake along the shoreline of the main island in the freshwater lake has been especially gratifying. These small attractive birds can be elusive and cryptic. Similarly solitary was the single Australian Wood Duck – this common species, which adapts readily to nearby human activity, is rarely seen in the park.
Regarding one of our continuing major threats, Noisy Miners generally only frequent the park’s north eastern corner, near the former HWT gatehouse.
Photo: Luke Seitz, eBird
Flowering now
Allocasuarina verticillata – Drooping Sheoak is a rather dull grey-green tree but take a close look at the highly ornamental patterns on the branchlets of the male plant, right. The female plant produces red flowers along the trunks and branches. These flowers will turn into large seed cones, left, much favoured by cockatoos.
Atriplex cinerea – Coast Saltbush is another dioecious plant with males producing the red/purple flowers in globular clusters, left, and females have cream clusters along spikes. As the name suggests it is very salt tolerant and thrives in large areas of the Park along the Yarra bank.
Alyxia buxifolia – Sea Box has very dark green leathery leaves and sparkling white flowers with their twisted petals forming a kind of windmill shape. This bush is also tolerant of salt spray and is quite good in containers. The berries ‘or drupes’ will turn a bright red.
Callistemon sieberi – River Bottlebrush has silky new growth, a weeping habit and delicate pale pink or cream flowers. It does well alongside waterways.
Melaleuca lanceolata – Moonah is right now an explosion of creamy-white brushes, alive with bees, best seen along the path towards the river. The Coastal Moonah Woodland, of which Melaleuca lanceolata is part, is in a serious state of decline, covering less than 10% of its original extent on the Mornington Peninsula.
Rubus parvifolius – Native Raspberry produces small edible berries, November to April. Unlike its cousin, the European blackberry, it is thankfully not invasive. However, it does have hooked thorns.
There are many more plants in flower at Westgate Park – suggest you take a look. You might also like to record your observations on iNaturalist (you will need to sign in to do this) and go to Westgate Biodiversity Project.
Nest box monitoring
Monitoring nest boxes for microbats and/or hollows-nesting birds
Register your interest
Summer time changes at Bili Nursery
Bili Nursery will be open Tuesday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm over summer, ie. no Saturday or Monday trade until March.
For home gardeners, we have a great selection of indigenous plants for sale so do pop in!
Container deposit scheme
Victoria’s CDS has arrived! This means you can now exchange some aluminium, glass, and plastic containers – just check for the 10c refund logo on the container. See here for what can and cannot be exchanged.
To find your nearest collection point, search the interactive map on the CDS Vic website – cdsvic.org.au
You can choose to keep your refund or donate it to an amazing range of charities and community organisations – including Westgate Biodiversity: Bili Nursery & Landcare – Donation Partner ID: C2000009270.
So why not save up all those holiday bottles and containers and donate your refund to help us support a sustainable future.
Progress on the Triangle
We were successful some years ago in having this long strip of land incorporated into the Park. It’s on our boundary with Boeing. The first stage in revegetation was to plant along the fence line. The weedy grass was sprayed out and in October last year our volunteers, including corporate groups, spread mulch then planted.
Here are the ‘befores’ and ‘afters’ with plants growing well. Our aim was to form a windbreak and of course plant native species.
A new lily in stock!
It’s the first time we have propagated these pretty Arthropodium minus – Small Vanilla-lilies – and they have done very well. They are perennial and form tubers which store nutrients for the following growing season. This fragrant vanilla lily flowers from August to December. It prefers a bit of shade and is good in pots.
Right now we have plenty of these in tubestock at the nursery.
Wildflower combos on sale
Ready to go! Our Bili Nursery staff have been growing up these combos – 4 wildflowers in each pot – and they are looking just gorgeous – perfect presents for any occasion.
We chose these species because they flower for long periods and at different times and they are a good mix of trailers, uprights and groundcovers. The pots are lightweight and very good for water retention.
The large pots are $25 and the smaller ones $20. Call in to Bili Nursery at 525 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne to see the full range.
