The wetlands (Part 1)

Formerly Salt Creek,the remaining environment is sadly nothing similar to the one I recall.Gone are the Mangroves,the crab burrows and fish nursery.The water is now toxic but supports algae growth,which in turn supports a variety of aquatic life,attracting local and migratory waders.Mullet can survive in this environment and these fish are preyed on by cormorants, pelicans and herons.

 SECTION OF REMAINING NATIVE VEGETATION

The surviving saline flora will disappear as stage 3 progresses,work has already begun on the housing estate,this will lead to an influx of introduced weeds such as the African Daisy (dead vegetation in foreground of above photo ),soon displacing native flora.

 SWAMP PAPER BARK  Melaleuca halmaturorum

A dense shrub,maturing to straggling tree,2 – 7M high.Leaves narrow,lanceolate,3-7mm long.Flower clusters are creamy white,flowering in Spring.Fruit 3-4mm diameter with horn-like spikes on rim.The bark resembles paper and is peeled off by WHITE-BROWED BABBLERS  Pomatostomus superciliosus (below),searching for the insects,spiders and small lizards that hide beneath it,also it provides excellent nesting material. Photo – Lincoln Cove.

         WHITE – BROWED BABBLER  Pomatostomus superciliosus

Also called Hopping Jenny,Happy Family and Cat-bird,it is endemic to mainland Australia,it is usually found in small family groups,feeding on the ground under leaf litter or in the trees,stripping peeling bark.The constant chattering can be heard well before the birds are sighted.Nest building and the feeding of the young are communal activities.Photo – Parnkalla Trail.

 SHRUBBY GLASSWORT  Tecticornia abuscula

The name derived from burning similar species to produce soda-ash used by 14th Century glass makers.It is a perennial,branching shrub to 2M tall,branchlets consist of short segments.Usually inhabits the intra-tidal zone and can be found on the coastlines of all Australian States.This environment is the favourite habitat of White-fronted Chats  Epthianura albifrons (below). Photo – Lincoln Cove.

        WHITE-FRONTED CHAT   Epthianura albifrons

A small finch-like bird,also called Tin-Tack,which feeds on small insects found on the ground on the edges of salt marshes.It will feign a broken wing to distract intruders when the nest is approached.Breeds locally,females are duller.Photo – Lincoln Cove.

 BEADED GLASSWORT  Sarcocornia quinqueflora

A edible succulent,growing to 0.5M high,often used as a salad vegetable to compliment fish dishes.Also called Samphire or Sea Asparagus.The seeds are eaten by Rock Parrots Neophema petrophila  (below) Photo – Lincoln Cove 

        Rock Parrot  Neophema petrophila

A medium size parrot,difficult to locate till in flight,as it blends well with the surrounding vegetation when feeding on the seeds.Sexes are similar and it breeds locally on off-shore islands in crevices in rocks or cliffs.Photo –Lincoln Cove

 AUSTRAL SEABLITE  Suaeda australis

A common perennial,succulent to 75cm high.It is native to all Australian States and favours the intra-tidal zone of sheltered bays and inlets.the leaves were pickled and used as a vegetable by early settlers.Photo-Lincoln Cove