Merri Creek’s returning migratory birds to join in celebration of Fawkner park’s preservation says FoMC

Friends of Merri Creek (FoMC) President David Redfearn said the delight of the pending Spring return of Merri Creek migratory birds will be even better following the very welcome Moreland City Council announcement that the future of the McBryde Street Fawkner nature park had been secured.

In thanking Council, federal MP Peter Khalil and the State Government for responding to the calls of environment groups and residents, David Redfearn said it had truly been uplifting news.

“The Merri Creek is an environmental and community treasure that is under immense pressure along its entire course from Melbourne’s population growth and resultant development,” said David Redfearn. 

“Every inch is precious and the natural environment cannot withstand losses as occurred recently when VCAT sanctioned a section of floodplain adjacent to the waterway in Thomastown to be used for industrial purposes”, added David Redfearn.

Merri Creek’s migratory bird species that Winter in Australia’s north like ‘grey nomads’ will be returning in September and October.  Each species has its own migration pattern and routes – with many still not well understood. 

They can fly long distances – Sacred Kingfishers go to Queensland, and possibly even across Torres Strait before they return in Spring.

Other species to look out for in Spring along the Merri Creek are the Brown Songlark and Reed Warbler.

David Redfearn continued, “It’s likely that quite a few birds, of many species, will be heading south away from drought-affected eastern Australia to find food this Spring-Summer.  The Melbourne region is something of a drought refuge because we water our gardens and parks, so birds can find nectar, insects and other food even in dry times”.

“So, we might see some species this year that are unusual in Melbourne”.

For the past 10 years, FoMC have been doing surveys of the Merri Creek’s birdlife at 10 sites, four times each year (the data is stored in the eBird global database).  The next surveys will be held on September 16 and 23 and provide a valuable insight into the impact of the drought on native birds.

‘Beginner-birders’ are welcome to participate and assist in the upcoming and future surveys as the more eyes the better to spot and count the number of birds – while the experienced leaders will help them learn to identify the species.  Information can be obtained from the website www.friendsofmerricreek.org.au

Although FoMC was overjoyed with Moreland’s announcement of the successful acquisition of the McBryde Street nature park, the environmental group remains concerned for the fate of two significant parcels of State Government owned parkland at Leonard Street Fawkner and along the Moonee Ponds Creek at Outlook Drive Glenroy.

The Leonard Street park is of particular environmental significance as the land retains an area of native grassland that is listed as Critically Endangered.  It is also one of the rare park areas in Fawkner that provides a visible entrance to the Merri Creek’s parklands, thereby encouraging public use.

Private development of the Leonard Street land would involve road construction that will negatively impact the existing users of the Merri Trail (which would have to be re-routed) and encroach into the bushland area along the Creek, thus narrowing down the Creekside parkland corridor. 

ENDS

Issued by:                  Friends of Merri Creek       www.friendsofmerricreek.org.au

Media enquiries:                 Mr. Joe Perri,

T: 0412 112 545   

E: jperri@joeperri.com.au