Winter solstice at “the Great Fen of Perth”

Too many Perth residents have never visited Herdsman Lake, nor given any thought to it.

Sir David Attenborough, who described Herdsman as “the Great Fen of Perth”, is keenly aware that Perth is one of very few cities to have such a substantial, internationally significant, RAMSAR-listed wetland within 10 kilometres of its GPO.

Far from pristine, and more “wetland” than “lake”, Herdsman is, nonetheless, a very special place.

As you can see, this year’s shortest day was not at all “wintry”.

 

 

 

Our favourite Herdsman place is its paperbark forest/swamp, through which wends a boardwalk.

It is a very easy, short walk away from the nearest bus stop; simply catch a number 84 or 85, and alight at the last stop before it turns off Selby Street.

(no great problem if you miss that stop; if so, press the button, once the bus turns right or left.. Wear shoes – Herdsman offers very easy walking, but tiger snakes abound)

 

 

 

Here, winter is the “worst” time for birdwatching – few birds breed at this time, the migratory ones have buggered off, and many of the “locals” are scattered all over southern WA, because water is generally widely available in winter.

That said, any time is still a good time at Herdsman.

Many people enjoy their “paperbark walk”, but fail to look, closely; if you do, you may well see some very discreet Nankeen Night-herons.

 

 

 

 

 

Getting a clear-enough view of them is a challenge to any photographer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elsewhere, along most of Herdsman’s shores, it is very easy to see most of “whatever birds are there, then”.

 

 

 

One species you will always see: Threskiornos molucca – the Australian White Ibis, or “Bin Chicken”.

Forty years ago the species was yet to gain its nickname, and it was rarely seen in the streets and parks of Australian cities.

Largely thanks to the edible “rubbish” discarded by urban humans,  urban ibis numbers have exploded, and their “skill set” is ever-expanding.

Stand by for the patent application from the inventor of an allegedly ibis-proof bin lid!

Click here to discover more, and to see the amusing video, “Planet Earth Presents: Bin Chicken”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The “intertidal” series will resume soon – probably, immediately after a catty/musical post.