Yes, the Banyule wetlands is certainly a Melbourne treasure
- noted recently for Lathan's Snipe.
There is 'description board' in the middle of the wetlands
that states that the Australasian Bittern can be seen
there. Any news on this?
Tim
> Over the last year Banyule council have strengthened the protection
> afforded to the local wetland (in the northern suburbs of Melbourne) by
> fencing off areas. They have also followed a suggestion (apparently due to
> Fred Smith) to flood a large low grassy area by sealing a creek which would
> otherwise drain the area. The results seem encouraging.
>
> I haven't birded here for a few months but this morning saw what I think
> are results of these conservation efforts: Bailon's crake (5) at various
> points around the now enlarged area, spotless crake (1), black-fronted
> dotteral (8), black-winged stilts (4) and most common urban ducks
> (including hardhead)and other waterfowl.
>
> I have not seen Bailon's or spotless crakes at this location before
> (although I have seen spotted crakes and both Lewin's and the buff-banded
> rail). Interestingly there were also sharp-tailed sandpipers (4) on the
> muddy perimeter of the billabong this morning. I can't remember seeing
> these here before either. They were foraging in mud with starlings!
>
> A second pair of frogmouths with two near fully fledged chicks are resident
> in a eucalypt by the main carpark. The long-time resident pair near the
> bridge remain with chicks.
>
> There are plenty of negative habitat destruction stories around -- the
> Banyule story seems positive.
>
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_______________________________________
Tim Dolby
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RMIT University
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