Hobsons Bay City Council conservation ranger Andrew Webster at the Altona Coastal Park. 88734 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By ALESHA CAPONE
WING your way to the Altona Coastal Park next Wednesday for a bout of bird-watching beside a beautiful background.
On 31 October a bird survey will be held at the coastal park in Altona Rd from 9-11am.
The coastal park is a large environmental gem in Altona’s east with many types of flora and fauna including 150 bird species of which 13 are rare or endangered.
Justin Weaver from the Friends of Altona Coastal Park said the area was a high-quality remnant salt marsh which connected to the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary via intertidal silt flats.
“It’s a major feeding habitat for migratory waders in the area who are living nearby before they make the flight back to China, Russia and Japan,” Mr Weaver said.
The bird survey is an annual event and attracts many birdwatchers – often known as ‘birders’ – from across Melbourne every year.
“I enjoy the ecology of the coastal park and seeing the birds thrive in what would otherwise be a deeply urban environment,” Mr Weaver said.
“The park is wild and interesting and it’s enjoyable to walk along the coastal park and you don’t need to be a ‘birder’ to enjoy seeing the different wildlife inhabiting Hobsons Bay.
“Truth be told, I sometimes enjoy watching the bird-watchers, they are quite interesting.”
Bird sightings recorded at the coastal park in the past have included black swans, ducks, pelicans, giant petrels, ibis, red-legged oyster catchers, spoonbills and rosellas.
Contact Hobsons Bay City Council’s conservation ranger on 9932 1000 for more information.
