Herdsman Lake

Lake in Perth, Western Australia

31°55′12″S 115°48′25″E / 31.92000°S 115.80694°E / -31.92000; 115.80694Basin countriesAustraliaDesignationHerdsman Lake Regional ParkMax. length2.5 km (1.6 mi)Max. width2 km (1.2 mi)Surface area3 km² (1.2 sq mi)SettlementsPerth Map

Herdsman Lake (Nyungar: Njookenbooro), also known as Herdsman Lake, is a freshwater lake located on the Swan Coastal Plain, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) north-west of Perth, Western Australia, in the suburb of Herdsman. The main shared-use path around the lake is approximately 8 kilometres in length, whilst the wetland perimeter of the lake is approximately 7.5 kilometres.

Description

The lake is encompassed by Herdsman Lake Regional Park. It measures 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) in length, and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) in width, totaling over 3 square kilometres (1.2 sq mi).^[1] The perimeter of the lake is dredged to provide permanent open water, 15% of the area,^[1] during the dry summer months. The lake is a wildlife sanctuary, with birdwatching a popular activity.

Almost 80% of the lake is covered with Typha rush (Typha orientalis), an introduced weed. In summer, most of the lake is dry. 15% of the lake is permanent deep water. In the 1830s, the lake was a possible water supply for Perth. In 1936, the lake was almost used as an alternative airport. Herdsman Lake was declared a regional park in 1999.

The Herdsman Main Drain is a 4-kilometre (2.5 mi) x 1,000-millimetre (39 in) underground pipe drain carrying excess water from the lake to its outflow at City Beach.^[2]^[3]

Attractions

Attractions within the park include the Olive Seymour Boardwalk, Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre and Settler's Cottage. It also contains a statue created by Pietro Porcelli, which formerly sat atop the now-demolished AMP Chambers building, which was rescued and placed on one of the islands. Walking, cycling, picnicking, birdwatching and wildflower spotting are popular activities in the park. Disabled access is provided.

Birds

More than 160 species of bird have been recorded at Herdsman Lake, including some notable sightings and endemic species to the region.^[4]

Notable sightings

Purple Heron in February 2013,^[5] a vagrant to Australia
Striated Heron in July 2013,^[6] vagrant this far south in Western Australia
Collared Pratincole in January 2019,^[7] first found at Point Walter and later relocated at Herdsman Lake, a first record for Australia
Wandering Whistling-Duck in May 2019,^[8] vagrant this far south in Western Australia
Eastern Yellow Wagtail in January 2020,^[9] vagrant this far south in Western Australia

References

^ ^a ^b www.wagouldleague.com.au Archived 9 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine About Herdsman Lake Regional Park. Accessed 21 February 2005.
^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 March 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "Herdsman Lake, Stirling, WA, AU - eBird Hotspot". ebird.org. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
^ Hart, Nick. "eBird Checklist - 22 Feb 2013 - Herdsman Lake - 4 species". ebird.org. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
^ Hart, Nick. "eBird Checklist - 2 Jul 2013 - Herdsman Lake - 1 species". ebird.org. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
^ Groom, Geoffrey. "eBird Checklist - 31 Jan 2019 - Herdsman Lake - 12 species". ebird.org. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
^ Heikaus, Andreas. "eBird Australia Checklist - 6 May 2019 - Herdsman Lake - 45 species". ebird.org. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
^ Graff, John. "eBird Checklist - 16 Jan 2020 - Herdsman Lake - 71 species". ebird.org. Retrieved 23 March 2022.