I have just returned from a ‘reccy’ for the Werribee
Wagtails outing on Tuesday June 4th. and feel I must share my experience. Newport Lake was a quarry and tip, now
the area has been transformed it
into a great habitat for birds.
Around the lakes are phragmatis and cumbungi so water birds have plenty
of places to hide. In the Black
wattles, Coastal saltbush and She-oaks are many honeyeaters and wattlebirds. The Park covers 33 hectares and
according to the information sheet supports 200 species of plants and 85
species of birds. From there I drove
towards the bay passing Cherry Lake, another great water and bush area. The tide was out so there were plenty
of birds to see, Silver gulls, Pacific Gulls, White-faced herons, Royal
Spoonbills, Chestnut Teal, Ibis, Stilts all in great numbers. On past Kooringal Golf Course to a
recently established Federation project, again a very neglected area has been transformed
into a very pleasant recreation area. There are 200 steps up a hill and from there you get a great
view over the Laverton Salt Flats, a highly desirable place for migratory
waders. There was no wind and the sun
was shining brightly, perfect conditions. I only hope it will be the same next Tuesday. All these area are very close to Melbourne.
Shirley Cameron
Werribee
03 9741 2997
