The name says it all. But it probably doesn't do justice for this magically tranquil setting along the Dale River, lined with drooping paperbarks, and forested further afield by glorious open Wandoo woodland throughout which the calls of Rufous Treecreepers and Elegant Parrots echo. Now do you have a better picture?
Today I was privileged enough to spend time at this fabulous spot, installing nest-boxes made by local members of the Beverly Community for Wheatbelt NRM. After some ladder- and tree-climbing to attach various nest boxes, I had an explore around the area and found this Coot nest, well hidden among some dense paperbark foliage.
Signs of many other waterbirds were encouraging and I was very impressed by the condition of the vegetation along the river. In a landscape of intense farming, such well protected corridors along waterways are vital for fauna to move between different habitats. Although foxes were present (I actually saw one in broad daylight, as well as many tracks in the mud), thick vegetation and 'island' roosting sites can help ducks and other waterfowl survive a night-time sleep. And of course, healthy plants along our rivers stop erosion and carry out filtering of the water too.
Another pleasing sight was the many relatively old trees bearing hollows, and extent of the remnant Wandoos, which no doubt help more sensitive nesting species like this Elegant Parrot persist in the region. If you drive around the Wheatbelt you will notice that, as far as parrots go, the it's a story of super-abundant Galahs and Australian Ringnecks, but other smaller species have lost the battle. Regent Parrots, Purple-crowned Lorikeets, Western Rosellas, Red-capped Parrots, Carnaby's Cockatoos and several other species are now rarely seen, resulting in an unfortunate loss of biodiversity. To help support maximum biodiversity, a range of trees, especially those bearing different sized hollows (and nest boxes!) is vital.
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