Spring Walks
It’s almost Spring – and there are many Spring walks in the coming weeks. Here are a few to tempt you.
Baigup Wetlands
Come to Baigup Wetlands on the Swan River at Maylands on Sunday 15 September for a Spring walk. Meet people from other community groups while exploring this beautiful Bush Forever site.
Baigup Wetlands is a 16.4 ha reserve that attracts many kinds of birds all year round. Sixteen species of waterbirds use the lakes for breeding. You may see gorgeous Australian Shelduck ducklings with their unbelievably protective parents. Perhaps you will see Buff-banded Rail chicks looking like fluffy black pompoms on their long spindly legs.
The two freshwater lakes are home to our South-western Snake-necked Turtles.
Challenges at Baigup include Acid Sulphate scalds, damage to the riverbank by speeding boats, and fox and cat predation of wildlife. Then there’s the death of native vegetation due to salinity in some places, and a daunting history of massive weed infestation.
However, strenuous efforts by Baigup Wetland Interest Group and the reserve managers (City of Bayswater and Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage) have got weeds under control in recent years. But for every challenge there are also victories. Extensive planting and water management along with ongoing weed control is providing habitat for an increasing number of birds, animals and reptiles.
Meet in Hinds Reserve car park next to the Paddlesports (aka Rowing Club) facilities at the end of Milne Street Bayswater. Read more on our Events page.
Kensington Bushland
Alternatively, you may choose to visit the Kensington Bushland in East Victoria Park on Sunday 15 September for their first Spring walk. Join the Friends of Kensington Bushland and local native bee expert Kit Prendergast for a talk and guided walk through the Bushland to locate native bee habitat. Learn about native bees and enjoy the beautiful spring flowers in Kensington Bushland. Find out how you can help our native bees in your own garden too.
Meet at the Harold Rossiter Clubhouse on Etwell Street.
Anstey Keane Damplands
We have a great treat for you on Saturday 20 October. Join UBC and Friends of Forrestdale for a walk through the urban treasure of Anstey Keane Damplands. This site is the second most floristically diverse Bush Forever site on the Swan Coastal Plain and has more plant species than Kings Park. More importantly, its vegetation is in excellent to pristine condition. It is an area of high biological importance.
You will be guided by locals, David and Bryony who love this bushland and are fighting to stop human incursions. They will show us some special places. Read about the campaign to save Anstey-Keane
We hope that you can join one of these Spring walks. Or look for one at a Bush Forever site close to you!