Herdsman Lake
We had heard that one of the best places in Perth for bird-watching was Herdsman Lake. So that was the first place we hit the moment the rain clouds cleared and sunny skies appeared.
The lake is huge; one circuit on the main trail around the lake is 8 km and took us 3.5 hours to complete, including lots of time for lingering and sneaking up on unsuspecting birds, as well as time to explore the side trails.
There are many carparks and entry points. We chose to park our car at the Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre along Selby Street, where a lovely river stood by to lead us into the park.
Some of the amiable birds even came out to give us a gracious welcome. One of these was the Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), who waved us in with a perky wag of his tail.
Also congregating at the lawn was a flock of Purple Swamphens (Porphyrio porphyrio), looking like chickens but fatter and decked with beautiful deep blue feathers. They reminded us of the takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri) that we saw in Te Anau, New Zealand.
Before we could start our hike on the main lake trail, we somehow found ourselves drawn into a side trail, the Olive Seymour Walk.
We were immediately enchanted by this 500-m loop trail that winds through an atmospheric paperbark forest.
It looked like we had stepped into a mysterious forest, a place where we could perhaps find a magic faraway tree.
The sandy path soon transformed into a boardwalk, which took us out into the lake through dense bulrush thickets.
There hiding amongst the bushes were a congregation of Eurasian Coots (Fulica atra) trying to catch a few winks.
Out on the still and peaceful lake, the breathtaking scenery inspired us to stand still for a moment and reflect upon nature’s marvellous handiwork.
Tucked away in a cozy corner of the lake was where we found the Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa), trying to blend into his surroundings.
Meanwhile not too far away, the Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae) looked somewhat distracted while darting around the lake.
Back in the mystical forest, the Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta) made a brief appearance and gave us a coquettish grin, before flitting off.
Finishing up on the side trail, we then embarked on our hike along the main trail, starting from the wildlife centre and heading in an anti-clockwise direction.
Along the way, we met a couple of Australian Wood Ducks (Chenonetta jubata) having a picnic on the lawn.
We were delighted to see a flock of Australian White Ibises (Threskiornis moluccus) having a party on the lawn as well.
Joining in the party were the Straw-necked Ibises (Threskiornis spinicollis). Apparently, these two species of ibises get along very well, and are often seen building their nest colonies together.
At the Northeastern side of the lake is a separate trail (labelled the Jon Sanders Drive Walk) that led us through a patch of thick paperbark forest and more open woodland.
The trail here was flooded at certain sections, but nothing our waterproof boots couldn’t handle.
Planted along the trail are a couple of bird hides (Balgay Bird Hide and Baumea Bird Hide) from which we could hide away from the bird’s view and hopefully spot the bird’s hideout.
For us, these hides were great lookout points to take in the lovely views of the lake and surrounding scenery.
We didn’t need these bird hides though, to spot some of the lake’s many winged residents, such as the Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)…
…the Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus)…
…the Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata)…
…the Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus)…
…the New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)…
…the Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae)…
…the Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis)…
…and the Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca).
At Popeye Lake, we were amused to watch the Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis moluccus) congregating on the top of the trees.
These funny birds simply love to congregate wherever they can find space, including the open lawn next to residential houses.
As long as they have lots of space to dance and frolick around.
The 2-km stretch from Popeye Lake to Settlers Cottage (called the Popeye Lake to Settlers Cottage Walk) is our favourite, for its expansive pastoral scenery.
Along the lake bank, we caught the Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) admiring himself in the water reflection.
Spotted around the vicinity were two familiar faces from back home in Singapore, the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)…
…and the Great Egret (Ardea alba).
Also seen in the area were the Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae)…
…the Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)…
…and the Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis).
Along the southwestern quadrant of the lake, many species of water birds could be observed lounging around the water’s edge in large flocks…
…such as the Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides)…
…the Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)…
…the Grey Teal Anas gracilis…
…the Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)…
…the Eurasian Coot Fulica atra…
…and the Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), whom we spent some time observing their entertaining antics, such as standing on one leg while taking a nap…
…or checking himself out in the mirror…
…and sometimes ducking in for a snack.
After the 9-km hike around Herdsman Lake, we were thoroughly invigorated and our appetites suitably whetted for the sumptious lunch that was awaiting us.
