Melbourne Water

Bird Species

An environment for birds

The Western Treatment Plant provides a haven for tens of thousands of birds and is recognised as one of the world's most significant wetlands. Maintaining the ecological character of this important wetland and ensuring the continued productivity and diversity of its wildlife is a priority for Melbourne Water.

In 1989 Melbourne Water formed the Western Treatment Plant Wildlife Consultative Committee to advise on, and assist with, protecting the natural values of the area. Melbourne Water and the Wildlife Consultative Committee will continue to protect these values through research and monitoring, pest animal control and weed eradication and revegetation programs, ensuring that this major habitat for wildlife is preserved for the future.

Habitats

The Western Treatment Plant takes in an amazing array of habitats. Within its boundaries, there are sewage treatment areas, dry basaltic plains, rivers, creeks, estuaries, coastal foreshores, swamps and plantations.

On the Western Treatment Plant's south western boundary is the 1550 hectare Murtcaim Wildlife Area which contains one of the last unmodified saltmarshes on Port Phillip Bay. Many internationally significant species are found within the wildlife reserve. In 1983, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature recognised the importance of the treatment plant as a conservation area by designating it a Wetland of International Importance.

The plant is considered to be one of the top 10 bird watching areas in Australia, with over one third of the country's species being recorded there (approximately 270 species).

The birds have been attracted to the area by the ideal habitat provided by Western Treatment Plant's operations. They have permanent water and a plentiful supply of food. Ample roosting and nesting sites are provided by the dead trees of Lake Borrie. The birds experience little interference from humans, with shooting being prohibited.

It provides critical habitat area for the endangered Orange-bellied Parrot and also supports one of the highest density of waders in the world. In Summer, 12,000-20,000 waders arrive from their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere, some from as far as Siberia - an incredible journey.

Parrot
Waders
Waterfowl
Other birds of interest

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Parrot

Orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster)

Sadly, these beautiful parrots are ranked alongside the giant panda and Siberian tiger as an extremely rare and highly endangered species.

Once fairly common in coastal areas, Orange-bellied parrot numbers have declined dramatically since the 1940s. Drainage and development of overwintering habitats, competition for food from introduced and native seed-eating birds, and predators such as foxes and cats are responsible for a population of today of less than 150 birds. The mere fact that so few are left is a further challenge to the species'survival.

The Orange-bellied parrot is a migratory bird which breeds in summer in Tasmania and migrates in autumn to the Victorian Coast. The parrots then disperse as far as the coastal saltmarsh areas of the Coorong in South Australia.

Western Treatment Plant and the adjacent Murtcaim Wildlife Area support roughly 60 parrots over winter. In the Murtcaim Wildlife Area, the parrots feed on saltmarsh plants such as grey glasswort. Western Treatment Plant's sewage treatment activities have also offset to some extent the degradation of the saltmarsh. In the grass filtration paddocks, ideal conditions exist for glaucous goosefoot to flourish. In certain years, the seeds of this plant are the parrot's sole dietary intake for a number of weeks.

Waders

The number and diversity of waders at Western Treatment Plant is noteworthy. Seventy-five per cent are migratory, breeding in Siberia and migrating south to avoid the harsh northern winter. The Victorian Wader Study Group tagged some waders and discovered that they made the round trip more than 10 times! Some of the world's rarest waders - Cox's sandpiper , Asian dowitcher and buff-breasted sandpiper - have been recorded at Western Treatment Plant.

The mudflats along the foreshore feed up to 32,000 waders, one of the greatest densities of waders to be found anywhere in the world. The discharge of nutrients in the treated effluent enriches the foreshore and copious amounts of invertebrate food are available when the area is exposed at low tide. At high tide, the waders move inland to secure marshy roost areas on the Western Treatment Plant and wait for the tide to fall.

Cox's sandpiper (Calidris paramelanotos)

This is one of the rarest species of wader in the world. It was only recently described as a new species and distinguished from the perctoral sandpiper, a slightly larger bird with a short bill. Each Summer, one or two of these northern migrants arrive at Western Treatment Plant.

Red-kneed dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus)

This bird's name is a reference to its long legs that are deep pink to the knee. The dotterel is actually a small plover and its feeding habits are typical of this family. It will walk or run a few steps along the soft surface of the mudflats, pause upright then tilt forward to jab at food before moving on. About 250 red-kneed dotterels have been recorded at Western Treatment Plant.

Red-necked avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae)

The red-necked avocet inhabits shallow foreshore mudflats or flooded inland areas and is one of eight wader species that breed on the Western Treatment Plant. They build nests along the banks of swamps and lagoons, and line them with shellgrit and vegetation. Avocets are easily distinguished from their close relations, the stints, by the distintive upturned bill. They feed by sweeping the bill from side to side in shallow water and soft mud.

Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis)

Of all the migratory waders found in Australia, the red-necked stint is the smallest and the most abundant. In September, more than 8000 stints arrive at Western Treatment Plant from their breeding grounds in north-eastern Siberia. They are commonly seen at the Plant, particularly along the mudflats. The red-necked stint's name comes from the features it displays during the breeding season. While in Australia, the stint is actually grey and white.

Waterfowl

The Western Treatment Plant is an important refuge for waterfowl during drought and the duck hunting season. As a permanent wetland, the lagoon system can support up to 65,000 ducks, with Lake Borrie alone carrying more than 30,000.

Chestnut teal (Anas castanea)

The Western Treatment Plant supports the largest population of chestnut teal in south-eastern Australia and is an important breeding site for the species. The birds nest in the dense grass surrounding the lagoons and in nesting boxes in Lake Borrie.

Freckled duck (Stictonetta naevosa)

Australia's rarest duck species is the freckled duck. Lake Borrie and other treatment lagoons have supported more than 300 freckled ducks.

Pink-eared duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus)

Pink-eared ducks are found throughout Australia but are not generally common to coastal areas. They are distinguished by their small size and zebra striped plumage. Although this species of duck does not breed on Western Treatment Plant, Lake Borrie supports up to 40,000 between summer and autumn.

Other birds of interest

Fairy tern (Sterna nereis)

Fariy terns hunt in shallow waters by plunge-diving beneath the surface for small fish. They are aggressive and noisy birds that will fly at and defecate on intruders. Terns nest on open sand beaches, free of vegetation and from human disturbance.

Lewin's rail (Rallus pectoralis)

Levin's rail inhabits swampy grassland. The rail feeds on insects, molluscs and invertebrates, using its long, slender bill to poke in cracks in the ground for food. They are very shy birds and are rarely seen. When building its nest, the rail also establishes a runway under the dense vegetation. If disturbed, it will use the runway to escape.

Marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

The marsh harrier is commonly seen over open marsh or swampland. Marsh harriers will feed on all kinds of water birds, small mammals and reptiles. They surprise their victims by suddenly looming overhead, using their long lanky talons to pluck their prey from the think undergrowth. Marsh harriers are attracted to the Western Treatment Plant by the abundant food supply available. Over winter up to 40 birds may roost communally in the long, rank grass in the filtration area.

Pied cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius)

Lake Borrie is the only permanent breeding colony for pied coromorants in Victoria. More than 1000 cormorants use the dead trees in the lake for roosting and nesting.

Cormorants generally breed in spring or summer yet strangely, at Western Treatment Plant, they raise their young during winter.

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• Sewage Treatment
• Eastern Treatment Plant
• Western Treatment Plant
  • Bird Watching and Fishing
  • Bird Species
  • Community Liaison Committee
  • Biodiversity Conservation Advisory Committee
  • Group Tours
  • Open Day 2010
• A Toilet is not a Rubbish Bin