Urban lakelands

The suburb Lara Lakes didn't exist a generation ago, and neither did Lara Lakelands but they now fill a natural valley and filter stormwater before it drains into Hovells Creek.

This morning the Mid-week Bird Group checked out the lakes that are surrounded by residential housing. A surprising number of birds find the shallow water, muddy edges, reed beds and open grasslands suit their needs. Today we found about fifty species including Cape Barren Geese, Buff-banded Rails, Black-fronted Dotterels, several hundred Galahs, Red-rumped Parrots and Spotted Pardalotes.

It's a hidden gem.

You have mail

The wind has picked up quite a lot since this morning. Actually it's blowing a gale. And when I ventured outside to check for mail I found this moth clinging on to my letter box, waving about in the strong breeze.

I think it's an Oxycanus dirempta but am happy to be corrected.

Precious saltmarsh

As you drive to Geelong from Melbourne on the Princes Freeway you cross over Hovells Creek near Lara. Look to the east and you see a path that follows the creek to the estuary in Limeburners Bay, Corio.

Today we explored sections of the creek, including the boardwalk into the mangroves. We concentrated on the precious saltmarsh areas.

Saltmarsh at Limeburners Bay, Corio. You Yangs in the background.

Beaded Glasswort Sarcocornia quinqueflora

 Shrubby Glasswort Tecticornia arbuscula (Syn. Sclerostegia ) and a Garden Mantis

Nardoo Marsilea sp.

Rounded Noon-flower Disphyma crassifolium subsp. clavellatum

Feeling low

We found a Spotted Pardalote sitting on our garden path, panting, eyes closed. Maybe he'd hit the window glass or been attacked by a bigger bird, or maybe he was ill. He didn't object to being picked up and placed in a more sheltered spot under a bush and hopefully will have recovered by morning.

At least it gave me a chance to see this beautiful bird up close - the rump and chest colours are stunning and the spots delightful.