May 13, 2020

Return to Bibra Lake - New boardwalk and bird hide

We had such a wonderful day at the Bibra Lake old boardwalk and bird hide last week, we decided to come back and check out the new boardwalk and bird hide. We arrived to find the park very busy. There were lots of young moms with babies in prams, families out for a morning stroll, bird watchers with field glasses and cameras, joggers, and bicyclists. 

The entrance to the park was in autumn mode with falling leaves and distinct changes in colours for some of the plants and trees.

The swamp pond was quiet. We were surprised to see the Australian White Ibis here instead of at the lake.

There was a lot of foot traffic on the path so the birds kept their distance, except for a female magpie.

We arrived at the path to the new boardwalk and bird hide.

It was on this path that we saw a predator bird looking for prey.

We thought you might find it interesting to see the difference between what I see on my iPad for pictures and videos; and what Dave sees on his camera.
 
iPad

Dave's camera

This guy seemed pretty intent on finding his lunch in the grass below him.

Kookaburras are part of the Kingfisher family.  They feed mostly on insects, worms and crustaceans; although small snakes, mammals, frogs and birds may also be eaten. They are monogamous. 

References: birdlife.org.au; nationalgeographic.com 

After saying we haven't seen the Laughing Kookaburra in the wild, we now have had the pleasure of seeing them twice in their natural habitat. 

This kookaburra wasn't too far from the entrance to the new boardwalk and bird hide.

The Narma Kullarck Boardwalk is built inside the flood area off the lake.  Narma Kullarck is an aboriginal Nyoongar phrase that means "family place".

Excerpt from thewetlandscentre.org.au - "Together, the boardwalk and bird hide, are shaped like the long neck and oblong shell (respectively) of our endearing oblong turtle.  And from the aerial view shows off the turtle's form spectacularly.  As a symbol, this is apt.  Oblong turtles are native inhabitants here".

The 70 meter long floating boardwalk was built as close to the ground as possible and is designed to lift with the water when the area floods.  Reference: thewetlandscentre.org.au 

The boardwalk runs through dense thickets which makes walking to the bird hide interesting.  Unfortunately for us this past summer and fall were very hot.  The drought conditions basically dried up the area around the boardwalk up to and including the area around the new bird hide.

The bird hide has viewing slots at heights for both adults and children on each of the three walls. There are also benches on the outside of the bird hide.
Reference: thewetlandscentre.org.au

The Purple Swamphens didn't seem to mind the drier conditions and kept on foraging for food in the weeds.  It was so dried out that the magpies were able to forage for food in the weeds too.

Meanwhile, in the mudflats, Dave captured the perfect photo of a male and female Australian Shelduck.

Dave also spotted a Purple Swamphen high stepping his way through the mud; looking very intent on getting to his destination quickly.

We had one final sighting on the way back to the vehicle. It was definitely a worthwhile stop.

In Australia, the Monarch butterfly arrived in the 1870's from North America.  They started to flourish once their host plant, the Milkweed, arrived as well. In summer, the females lay eggs under the leaves of the milkweed.  Most of the other butterflies spend winter as larvae or pupae waiting to emerge in summer, but the Monarch butterflies spend winters as adults. 

In the pictures below you can see the Monarch butterfly's long 'tongue' as it feeds on the Australian Bottlebrush. 

The butterfly's 'tongue' is actually a thin suction tube (about 1 1/4 inches or 3 centimetres long) that allows them to drink nectar from flowers.  

References: backyardbuddies.org.au; anbg.gov.au