Wetland Birds Hold On as Lake Hindmarsh Dries
Lake Hindmarsh April 2025 Bird Survey
“no water was visible from any of the lake shoreline sites”
Date: 16 April 2025
Overview
The dry state of Lake Hindmarsh has left the Wimmera River as the sole remaining refuge for wetland birds in the area.
The river’s diminishing flow and increasing salinity are now becoming a concern for the remaining bird populations.
Water Levels and Vegetation
For the first time this survey season, no water was visible from any of the lake shoreline sites.
Even the Wimmera River section below the Jeparit Weir is now low and slightly brackish, further emphasizing the severity of the conditions.
Bird Populations
- Total Birds Recorded: 29 wetland birds across 9 species
(If we include the extra site: 49 birds across 11 species) - Most Abundant Species: Australian Pelican (12 individuals)
Key Observations
- Site 4R was the only official survey site where wetland birds were recorded.
- An additional site—a bend in the river near the bridge west of Jeparit—also hosted a small number of birds.
- A flock of Australian Pelicans was observed flying from a hidden section of the river, briefly circling before returning.
- All birds were too distant for photography, highlighting the challenge of monitoring in such dry conditions.
Summary Table
| SITE | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4R | 5 | 6 | TOTAL | Extra |
| Australasian Coot | 4 | |||||||
| Australian Pelican | 11 | 11 | 1 | |||||
| Black-tailed Nativehen | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Dusky Moorhen | 2 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| Great Cormorant | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Grey Teal | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Hoary-headed Grebe | 1 | 1 | 4 | |||||
| Masked Lapwing | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Pacific Black Duck | 5 | |||||||
| Purple Swamphen | 6 | 6 | 3 | |||||
| Australian Reed-Warbler | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| TOTAL: | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 20 |
Conclusion
The April 2025 survey at Lake Hindmarsh paints a stark picture of the ongoing environmental changes in the region. With no visible water at any of the lake’s shoreline sites and the Wimmera River itself beginning to show signs of stress, wetland bird numbers have dropped to their lowest levels this survey season.
Despite these challenges, the presence of 11 different species—particularly the Australian Pelican and Purple Swamphen—demonstrates the resilience of birdlife in the face of extreme conditions. Their continued presence suggests that, while conditions are harsh, some wetland functionality remains.
The Wimmera River continues to serve as a critical refuge, underscoring its ecological importance as surrounding wetlands dry out
**Strict hygiene measures are in place to prevent contamination**
