Westgate Park bird month numbers 12-13

Water levels in the two large lakes continue to fall. Most islands are now well exposed in the freshwater lake, and the appearance of pelicans, cormorants and egrets suggests an abundance of mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis). The saltwater lake currently has a dark pink algal bloom – resembling Homer’s wine-dark sea – not a problem for red-kneed dotterels and black-winged stilts.

Vegetation throughout the park continues to dry out, with an increasing number of shrubs dying or already dead, despite the park receiving 33 mm of rain over the previous four weeks.

Interesting and notable sightings:

- A Friends member and Telstra volunteers saw a black-eared cuckoo being harassed by a pair of willie-wagtails at the edge of the freshwater lake on Wednesday 13 February. A photo taken at the time has been carefully examined. This is our first record of a species that rarely moves as far south as Melbourne.

- The single spiny-cheeked honeyeater sighted this month could be the first arrival for 2013. Since monthly surveys commenced in 2007, this species has always arrived at Westgate Park between the middle and end of March.

- As the observers counted gulls, cormorants and a collared sparrowhawk along the park’s lower Yarra section, a dolphin made its way downstream.

o Bird Survey 14 March 2013

Here too is the record of a full year of sightings (Mar – Feb): Westgate Park bird month numbers 12-13

8.30am – 4pm          Volunteers work day including DEEWR Work Experience
10am – 2.30pm        NED (Bayside Community Health)

Tues Feb 5

8.30am – 4pm          Volunteers work day including DEEWR Work Experience

Wed Feb 6

8.30am – 4pm           Volunteers work day

Fri Feb 8

9.15 am – 3.30pm     Telstra Staff (15)

Mon Feb 11

8.30am – 4pm             Volunteers work day including DEEWR Work Experience
8.30am – 12.30pm     Bird Survey

Tues Feb 12

8.30am – 4pm             Volunteers work day including DEEWR Work Experience

Wed Feb 13

8.30am – 4pm             NAB staff volunteering (40)

Sun Feb 17

9.00am – 4pm              Friends of Westgate Park Work Day & WaterWatch

Mon Feb 18

8.30am – 4pm              Volunteers work day including DEEWR Work Experience and Grant Thornton staff in conjunction with Landcare Australia (20)

10am – 2.30pm            NED (Bayside Community Health)

Tues Feb 19

8.30am – 4pm               Volunteers work day including DEEWR Work Experience and ANZ staff  (12) TBC

Wed Feb 20

8.30am – 4pm                  Volunteers work day

Fri Feb 22

9.15am – 3.30pm           Telstra Staff (15)

Mon Feb 25

8.30am – 4pm                 Volunteers work day including DEEWR Work Experience

Tues Feb 26

8.30am – 4pm                  Volunteers work day including DEEWR Work Experience incl NAB staff (25)

Wed Feb 27

8.30am – 4pm                  Volunteers work day

We welcomed new volunteers – Anouck, James, Marje Jose and Madeleine – to the Sunday 21 Jan working bee who pitched in to cut back the native grasses along the walking path. Two small fires have ignited in recent weeks, probably from cigarette butts and this long, hot dry spell makes areas like this vulnerable. Much appreciated!