Lots on at Blackburn Lake

Keep reading for our latest updates, and what's coming up in May and beyond.

Billabong Bridge

You may have noticed that Whitehorse Council have finished the replacement of Billabong Bridge. This enables a great viewing area both to the inlet and Wetland and through into the billabong area. Listen for all the little birds that love this area and the trickle of the creek as it enters the lake.

We need your help - Wetland Regneration

Blackburn Lake Sanctuary is well into the 2nd year of the 3-year Wetland Regeneration project.This project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s Green Links program.

Over the past year many volunteers have worked with the Advisory Committee and supported by Whitehorse Council Parks and Natural Environment team, to prepare this area for the planned planting of over 4,000 indigenous plants. These plants have been grown with one of our partners in the project – Bungalook nursery in Blackburn South. Bungalook volunteers have sourced local seed and cuttings to provide the project with plants most suitable for the wetland habitat.

This project can only be a success if we get enough volunteers to plant this extensive number of plants. They are ready to plant now!! Can we count of you to get involved?

Dates for planting this year are:

This Saturday 10th May 9.30 – 11.30 meeting at the Visitor Centre. Bring gloves and wear suitable clothing. Join us for a friendly cuppa and morning tea afterwards, at the Visitor Centre. 

Saturday 31st May

Sunday 15th June

Saturday 5th July

Saturday 2nd August

Further working bees around the Lake are planned also:

Saturday 23rd August

Saturday 6th September

Saturday 4th October

Saturday 18th October

Saturday 8th November

Thursday 20th November 6pm – 8pm Our final working bee will be a Twilight one to celebrate a successful year of work, followed by a shared meal in the courtyard.

Park Appreciation Walks

The Blackburn Lake Sanctuary Advisory Committee organises events and working bees so that park users can understand and care for this sensitive habitat in the heart of Blackburn. During 2025 monthly walks are planned to share what is so special about Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, some of its history and highlight the different seasonal changes.

These monthly walks will be led by an advisory committee member and will be on Saturday mornings during Daylight Savings and Sunday afternoons in non-Daylight Savings time. Participants will be encouraged to contribute and share their own knowledge with others.

The walk can be any part of Blackburn Lake Sanctuary for approximately 1 hour.

Feel free to meet at the Visitor Centre and join the walk and conversation.

Dates and times for 2025

Sunday 18/5, 4.30 pm
Sunday 22/6, 4.00 pm
Sunday 20/7, 4.00 pm
Sunday 17/8, 4.00 pm
Sunday 21/9, 4.00 pm
Saturday 25/10, 9.30 am
Saturday 22/11, 9.30 am
Saturday 13/12, 9.30 am

Bird Survey results for the Autumn Breakfast with Birds

At the annual Autumn bird survey on the 29th March, Ian, and Greg led an enthusiastic group of bird watchers through the Sanctuary. Species are recorded and added to our extensive history of bird sightings over the last 50+ years. These can be viewed in the Visitor Centre when it is opened by volunteers on a Sunday afternoon 2 -4pm.

As usual after the Autumn and Spring bird surveys, participants gathered at the Visitor Centre for a cuppa and raisin bread toast to share their observations. Thanks to all our photographers for their images.                                     

If you are keen to join the Spring survey, it’s planned for Saturday 11th October meeting at the Visitor Centre  at 7.30am for a 8am start. Gathering back at the Visitor Centre around 10am for morning tea.  

Bring your binoculars if you have them, and dress for any type of weather that may possibly occur. Watch the website incase the date has to change.

You may also be interested in the monthly sightings that our enthusiastic bird observers record on the Visitor Centre notice board. Feel free to add your own observations too.  

Pick up a brochure at the Visitor Centre to help you identify birds you might see.  

Birds in the 'burbs

The terrific Dr Jacinta Humphrey joined us at the Visitors Centre last month to talk about her research on Birds in the Burbs. If you are curious about why particular birds are thriving in our area and others are not, and what you can do to improve habitat for native birds in residential areas, like the spotted pardalote and blue wren pictured below and seen regularly at the Sanctuary, we highly recommend reading Jacinta's findings. You can download her brochure here.

Farewell Elaine

After 24 years as a member of the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary Advisory committee, a leader in the Environmental Education Program, team member of the Water monitoring team and  active working bee participant – we farewell Elaine and husband Lance and wish them well in their new ventures.

Thank you, Elaine for your commitment to Blackburn Lake Sanctuary.