SA Water has teamed up with the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) to provide sanctuary for some of the Fleurieu Peninsula’s most threatened wetland birds.
Vegetation Services Specialist for SA Water, Shaun Kennedy said a new 10-hectare conservation area was being created within Myponga Reservoir Reserve to improve the habitat for the birds.
Mr Kennedy said more than 14,000 seedlings had been planted as part of the initiative so far, with customised marker buoys deployed to establish the area at the eastern end of the reservoir and fencing installed to protect the young plants from kangaroos.
“Preserving the unique flora and fauna at our reservoir reserves remains essential, as people enjoy these spaces for recreational activities,” he said.
Mr Kennedy said the project was also about encouraging certain endangered bird species – not seen in the area for years – to return.
“Working alongside the Department for Environment and Water, and the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, the project kicked off in 2020 with our team actively working across more than four hectares of the area – planting 12 different species and monitoring existing flora,” he said.
“By establishing an ecologically-diverse area, we’re helping maintain healthy breeding populations of around 30 waterbird and woodland bird species, including the Australasian Shoveler, Freckled Duck and Musk Duck.
“With the help of volunteers from our dedicated program, from August this year, we’ll be planting more than 3,000 native plant species in the sanctuary, including Mount Compass Oak-bush and Lignum.”
Information on how to register as a volunteer can be accessed at this PS News link.
