City of Cockburn - Wetlands to Waves

Manning Lake and Davilak Trail Guided Bushwalk Morning

Come along and enjoy the fun!

Turtle Watch

Oblong turtles inhabit the wetlands of the Perth Metropolitan Area. Their wellbeing is of increasing concern to the community, in relation to habitat loss, road deaths, predation and climate change (Bartholomaeus, 2012; Sinclair, 2010; Tate, 2009). In 2005, City of Stirling community members expressed concern about the turtle population of their local lakes. Following stakeholder consultation, a Community Conservation Grant for a trial breeding bank for the turtles was submitted and approved.

This project, known as Turtle Watch 1, was conducted from March 2006 to February 2008. Although a suitable nesting site for the Oblong Turtle was provided, the site was not safe due to predation (Lewis, Baudains, & Mansfield, 2008a, 2008b; Lewis, Baudains, & Mansfield, 2009). Thirty one predated turtle nests were found in the trial site, with no live hatchlings observed.

The predation findings were addressed by a subsequent study, undertaken by the Australian Association for Environmental Education C WA Chapter (AAEE-WA). This project, known as Turtle Watch 2, commenced in April 2011 and will conclude this year. Funded by Lotterywest and AAEE-WA, the aims of Turtle Watch 2 are:

1. Identify predator/s involved in the destruction of oblong turtle nests at three sites C Herdsman Lake, Bibra Lake and Canning River; and 

2. Foster partnerships between the community, research organizations, educational institutions and industry in relation to the conservation of oblong turtles.

Interim Turtle Watch 2 findings include:

1. Camera surveillance of nesting sites provided some evidence of fox predation;

2. New partnerships for the conservation of the oblong turtle established, for example, between CimateWatch, Murdoch University, University of Western Australia and the Turtle Oblonga Rescue and Rehabilitation Network;

3. Six community turtle education sessions were conducted, at the Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre (CWEC), Canning River Eco Education Centre (CREEC) and Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre (HLWC); and

4. Numerous initiatives to promote publicity about the plight of oblong turtles, such as bookmarks, posters and newspaper articles.

Community members can be participate as citizen scientists for Turtle Watch 2 by reporting oblong turtle sightings.

Visit ClimateWatch to log turtle sightings. Alternatively, community members may register sightings at their nearest eco centre:

• Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre 9417 8460
• Canning River Eco Education Centre 9461 7160
• Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre 9387 6079
• South East Regional Council for Urban Landcare 9458 5664

Such participation is contributing to improved knowledge and action in relation to oblong turtle conservation.

 Click here for more information or view the Turtle watch Newsletters below.

Adopt-a-Spot Program

---

Feed a Bird, How Absurd!

When we feed birds in our local wetlands we can unintentionally harm them and pollute their homes. Water birds in particular are adapted to their watery homes with specialised beaks or bills for feeding. Foot design can also tell us a lot about a birds diet. Wild birds are meant to look after themselves for a number of reasons relating to their health, survival and their natural environment. 

For further information open up the brochure to see what steps you can take to interact with local birds and not interfere with them or their homes! Print off the poster an hang it up in your office or local meeting place to educate others on this issue!

• Download Further Details
• Download Bird Watching Spots and Tips

---

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Click here for more information on what you can do!