Birdlife at Eastern Treatment Plant
Sewage treatment plants are large all-year water bodies that provide abundant food in the form of water plants, zooplankton, aquatic insect larvae and flying insects.
The Eastern Treatment Plant is home to a large native bird population, including several species of regional, state and national significance. The plant also provides valuable habitat for large numbers of migratory waders, which are covered by international treaties.
Migratory waders such as the Sharp-tailed sandpiper and Red-necked stint fly from northern Siberia, while Latham's snipe come from Japan, arriving around August and leaving for the northern hemisphere between February and May. Some travel up to 24,000 kilometres a year.
Since monthly bird counts started in 1998, 177 species have been recorded at the site. This is nearly one-fifth of the bird species found in Australia.
The ponds support species including the Black Swan, Pacific Black Duck, Blue-billed Duck, Grey Teal and Chestnut Teal. The plant also provides valuable habitat for shorebirds or 'waders', including migratory species and resident species such as the Black-winged Stilt and Masked Lapwing.
Native bush birds such as the Superb Fairy-wren, Magpie-lark, Red Wattlebird and White-plumbed Honeyeater also inhabit the plant.
In 1992 a Spotted Redshank was seen, which was the first sighting of the bird in Australia.
Birds Australia conducts a regular census of birds at the plant and keeps track of changes in the national wading bird population.
Birds Australia has a representative on the Community Liaison Committee who leads monthly surveys by volunteers. About 45 volunteers help with each count. Since bird counts began 25 years ago, the average number recorded at the plant has been 4024. But during drought, numbers have swelled beyond 7000 as the plant's lagoons, ponds and marshes provide a valuable refuge for stressed birds seeking refuge from dry conditions inland.
Melbourne Water and Birds Australia are developing ways to make the Eastern Treatment Plant an even better place for birdlife. This has resulted in the initial low-depth filling of an effluent holding basin, the filling of a moat on the north-west of the site, the filling of three decommissioned sludge pans and low-depth filling of another infrequently used basin.
Access
There is no permit access to the Eastern Treatment Plant. Access is only available through bird counts organised by Birds Australia. The duration of the bird count is approximately for four hours. A vehicle is required to participate.
For further information on bird counts contact Birds Australia.