Photographs of fog rising from water, frost around ponds and vivid sunrise and sunset water vistas across the Wimmera landscape are filling social media newsfeeds right now. Water for the environment combined with natural flows in rivers, creeks and wetlands has led to an abundance of birdlife that don’t seem bothered by the temperature. Which makes it well worth braving the cold with your camera in search of Wimmera water birds!

BIRD MONITORING

When Lake Hindmarsh holds water, it’s an important wetland for waterbirds in western Victoria, including state and federally listed threatened species. Lake Hindmarsh also supports bird species listed under international agreements including Red-necked Stint and Eastern Great Egret.

These were found as part of Wimmera CMA surveys in December 2022, February 2023 and April 2023, confirming the lake’s environmental significance when it holds water.

The surveys also found five species listed under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988). 

1. Australasian Bittern (critically endangered)
2. Eastern Great Egret (vulnerable)
3. Hardhead (vulnerable)
4. Musk Duck (vulnerable)
5. Australasian Shoveler (vulnerable)

We will return for more monitoring later this year and are also planning to survey Dock Lake which has maintained high water levels since late 2022.

WHAT BIRD IS THAT?

To identify which bird you’re photographing, send an email to wcma@wcma.vic.gov.au or message us on social media for a free copy of the Glovebox Guide to Wimmera Wetland Birds.

WINTER FLOWS

Environmental water releases are delivered to meet environmental objectives, including in the Wimmera River. Due to continued rain events creating natural flows, no water for the environment releases are occurring. These are not planned until later in the year when conditions become warmer and drier.