Published on Wednesday, 21 August 2019 at 9:58:38 AM
Hundreds of straw-necked Ibis have flocked back to Lake Seppings to nest and raise their chicks at what is the only known breeding site for the birds in the region.
The annual event showcases the importance of the local wetland for native birdlife, with the Ibis roosting on surrounding vegetation and nesting among the sedges.
Manager City Reserves Jacqui Freeman said it was an amazing sight to see and it was a shame the birds are sometimes seen as a pest as they play an important role in natural wetland ecology.
“Lake Seppings is a great example of a functional wetland and ecosystem in an urban setting which provides unique experiences like this where nature can be observed at its best,” she said.
“Unfortunately this is not felt by all as with the increase in bird numbers also comes some additional noise, smells and large flocks flying overhead.”
Ibis are a native bird species which are protected under the Wildlife Act and choose Lake Seppings for breeding due to a lack of other suitable nesting areas in the region.
“The City has been monitoring numbers and water quality over the past few years and have observed the birds are now only returning to breed,” Mrs Freeman said.
“Once they’ve bred they are dispersing, reducing the numbers back down for the majority of the year, although we’ve noticed this fluctuates depending on the weather patterns.
“When the birds are breeding there is some impact to the vegetation so to reduce the pressure on small sections of the lake, we’ve been revegetating along the lake’s edge over a number of years with around 40,000 seedlings being planted in the past year.”
Mrs Freeman encouraged residents to grab their camera and take the opportunity to embrace nature and enjoy the annual breeding event.
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