The Edithvale Wetlands

Edithvale-Seaford wetlands are all that remains of the Carrum Carrum swamp that once stretched from Mordialloc to Frankston. The wetlands are a Ramsar wetland because they support a large population of the migratory Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and also birds of state significance such as the Australasian Bittern.

The Edithvale Birdhide is located on Edithvale Road, Edithvale and is currently opened between 1-7 pm Saturday and Sunday and also between 6pm to 7.30pm on Wednesday this will continue until the wetlands dry out. The hide, which is two stories high, is manned by volunteers and contains all sorts of interesting displays and information including a range of nests and eggs. If the bird hide is closed you can also get a good look at the wetlands from a platform situated in the car park next to the hide.

On the day we visited the wetlands were covered in birds, on the water were many families of swans with their fluffy grey signets, also present were Chestnut Teal, Black-winged Stilt and Yellow-billed and Royal Spoonbills, a group of Australasian Shovelor flew in as we watched. Whiskered Terns were fishing over the wetland and on one occasion a Swamp Harrier flew in flushing many of the birds on the wetland. Of particular interest was the Australian Painted-Snipe near the bird hide, some Spotted Crakes were also visible from the hide and feeding on the mudflats. Superb Fairy-wren could be seen in the bushes bordering the car park.

For more information on the wetlands go to http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/rivers_and_creeks/the_rivers_an...