Braeside Park Count.

[Robert BERRY <>]

Braeside Park Wetland Count  20/11/96 

Braeside Park is in the outer south eastern suburbs of Melboune, Vic.

The Braeside Park wetland is located in the south west corner of the park. It 
is roughly triangular in shape with an area of about 50 hectares. Some of this 
area is permanently covered with water, some is subject to seasonal inundation. 
The permanent lakes are largely the result of excavations begun in 1984.

The wetland includes remnant Swamp Paperbark ( Melaleuca ericifolia ) which was 
once common in the region plus new plantings. There are some River Red Gums on 
the eastern side, some of which are dead. Other plants present include grasses, 
rushes, reeds and herbs. There is a significant level of infestation by 
introduced plants.

Foxes are fairly common and dogs and cats are additional hazards to the water 
birds. Dogs are prohibited but transgressions are frequent despite the signs. 
Jogging and cycling as well as considerable foot traffic have some effect 
mainly on the northern shore. The value of the park as a refuge for shy and 
rare species such as the Crakes and Rails depends in part on the resolution of 
multi-use issues and control of introduced predators.

Birdlife present is rich and diverse. Regular censuses began in January 1993 
and are continuing, usually every two weeks. I will endeavour to post the 
results regularly.

Weather Mild, breezy, clear sky. 
Time 1410 - 1530            
                                                                               
 Blue-billed Duck                           6                                   
                
 Black Swan                                 33              inc 13 young.       
                 
 Australian Wood Duck                  1                                        
           
 Pacific Black Duck                      28              inc 4 young.           
              
 Chestnut Teal                              99              inc 5 young.        
                 
 Australasian Grebe                        1                                    
               
 Hoary-headed Grebe                   23                                        
           
 Pied Cormorant                             1                                   
                
 Great Cormorant                           1                                    
               
 Australian Pelican                        10                                   
                
 White-faced Heron                        1                                     
              
 Purple Swamphen                         4                                      
             
 Dusky Moorhen                            3                                     
              
 Eurasian Coot                              66                                  
                 
 Black-winged Stilt                       16                                    
               
 Spotted Turtle-Dove                      1                                     
              
 Superb Fairy-wren                         2                                    
               
 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike            1                                         
                
 Little Raven                                   4                               
                    
 Skylark                                          2                             
                      
 Welcome Swallow                       10                                       
            
 Clamorous Reed-Warbler              6                                          
         
 Little Grassbird                             1              H.                 
                  
 Golden-headed Cisticola               3                                        
           
 Common Starling                      100                                       
            
 Common Mynah                           3                                       
            


Robert Berry.