Herdsman Lake 



And Herdsman Lake Wildlife Center

(the sound you are hearing is a coot on the lake)

Herdsman Lake is situated 7km from Perth, at the corner of Selby and Flynn streets, Wembley.

Herdsman Lake is an environmental education and wetland study site that is open to the public and overseas visitors to view birds, frogs, plants, and reptiles. There is a platform for viewing and a 500 metre broad-walk through part of the lake.

The lake is 2.5km North South and 2km East West long. In late summer and autumn much of the lake becomes dry. There are also walk trails which show you different aspects of the lake.

You can hope to see Aquatic life i.e. pond insects

  • Amphibians such as the slender tree frog, the western green and gold tree frog and the banjo frog.

  • Spiders such as the orb web spiders (from spring to late autumn).

  • Insects such as dragonflies and damselflies, wanderer butterflies, and mosquito’s.

  • Reptiles like the venomous tiger snake (see below), long necked turtles and burton’s legless lizard as well as western bearded dragons a variety of skinks.

  • Birds of about 85 species are seen annually. Some of the most common birds are Coots, Swamp hens, Moore hens, Mountain ducks, Black ducks, Little Grebe, Crested Grebe, Rufous Nankeen Night herons, Pelicans, Sacred Ibis, Yellow Billed Spoonbill’s and Honeyeaters.

 

^ Crested grebe's drifting around Herdsman Lake.

Pelicans and Cormorants are common sunbathers around Herdsman Lake >>

A yellow spoon bill looking for some tasty morsels in the shallows of Herdsman Lake

The Sacred Ibis surveying his territory on the boardwalk around Herdsman Lake.

Reptiles are also common around the wetland areas, this tiger snake was spotted soaking up the sun in the children's playground
 at Herdsman Lake. So watch your step when walking, they are not too happy if you tred on them!

Tiger snake moving off after I almost stumbled on him in the playground!

 



I have returned at night here in early September to look and listen for frogs and heard the banjo frog and a deep croaking frog.

Just on sunset a male Musk duck came up to me at the bank obviously used to handouts.

I also had a white striped mastif bat swoop right over my head for moths and other flying insects.

There was a  little baby turtle swimming around in the muddy water about the size of a 10 cent piece.
 There were also plenty of water spiders skimming the surface and lots of spiders in webs around the broadwalk.

 



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