Wednesday walk – Dickson and Lyneham Wetlands

Park in the  dirt carpark next to Dickson Wetland on Hawdon St, Dickson, at 8.30am.  We will walk around that wetland then walk to the Lyneham Wetland.  Please register with Sandra (shirmax2931@gmail.com) with your name and number, and the name and number of an emergency contact. This is an easy walk on footpaths and formed tracks.

Seventeen hardy souls, under the leadership of Sandra Henderson, hazarded the trek from the Dickson to the Lyneham Wetlands. Both wetlands are artificial, designed to harvest stormwater for ovals and regulate flows, as well as create habitat. The wetlands seem to have succeeded in the latter purpose; the ducks don’t seem to care that they are artificial.

After fully circumnavigating the Dickson Wetlands, the expedition set off along the bike path through Dickson, narrowly avoiding commuting cyclists and braving pedestrian crossings. The group then mounted a determined assault on Lyneham Wetland, once again demonstrating its commitment to find birds in the wildest of terrain.

All species observed were relatively common Canberra residents. The highlight was probably the sight of an Australian Raven eviscerating an Australasian Swamphen. There were quite a large number of Hardheads on Lyneham pond, their chestnut-brown feathers looking particularly resplendent in the bright sun. They were also demonstrating their talents as diving ducks.

Crested Pigeons engaging in courtship behaviour and a Red Wattlebird collecting nesting material indicated that spring is on its way.  As to be expected for suburban Canberra, there were plenty of Noisy Miners and Pied Currawongs, prompting idle speculation about whether a war between the two could actually be a good thing for the rest of Canberra’s bird population.

By the time the group had returned to its starting location, a total of 34 species had been recorded.

Marcus Hellyer