Phil Mellon, catchment group member, has been digging in the history files pursuing information about the Elleker area. He found stacks of interesting information at the Albany Public Library under the Albany History Collection. Further excerpts will be included in future newsletters. (9 Mile Lake is Lake Powell).

18 January 1898
On Saturday lst the Surveyor-General (Mr H. Johnston) and Mr W. H. Angove visited the swampy district of Grassmere. They were particularly pleased with the condition of the gardens in the vicinity and were in accord with the expressions of the residents as to the necessity of draining the swamp.

10 May 1898
"During the late visit of the Surveyor-General it was pointed out to him the necessity of draining the 9 Mile swamp (Lake Powell) at Grassmere, which interfered to a great extent with farming carrying their produce to the railway siding. Mr Johnston, seeing the urgency of the case, at once instructed Mr W.G.Angove to inspect the swamp and report as to the best means of drainage. Mr Angove, after a careful examination of the swamp, suggests that a drain be constructed from one of the lowest parts of the swamp and carried out in a westerly direction to a creek running into Torbay Inlet.

The whole length of the drain would be 101 chains and there would only be a fall of 2ft, which, although very small, Mr Angove thinks will be sufficient. The only disadvantage would be that when the Inlet was backed up by flood waters the drain would be useless until the Inlet was opened. This, however, would be unavoidable. The proposed drain would have a width of 6 ft, at the bottom with slopes of 1/2 to 1, the ground being most of soaky and clay nature. The total cost is estimated at 202pound10s."

An Australasian Bittern was seen during a survey conducted earlier this year at Lake Powell near Elleker. This waterbird is so rare that the Wildlife Conservation Act of Western Australia lists the species as threatened by extinction. Lake Powell is one of a handful of wetlands in the Albany region where this bittern is still found.

The Australasian Bittern

It was very exciting to spot the Australasian Bittern. It shows how important it is to protect wetlands like Lake Powell which is suffering from high nutrient levels from the catchment running into it. The Albany Bird Group has carried out a number of bird surveys at the new Lake Powell bird hide.

Regular monitoring is really important as the number and species of birds present can fluctuate considerably. In the summer of 2002 water levels were low, exposing areas of mud along the fringes of the lake. This created an ideal habitat for waders, with approximately 500 Rednecked Avocets and 80 Black-winged Stilts recorded that February. However, this year high water levels meant only two Black-winged Stilts were recorded.

The most recent survey was conducted in July 2004 when 24 different species of water birds in significant numbers were identified. Pacific Black Ducks, Australian Shelducks, Eurasian Coots and Hoary-headed Grebes appear to be present in numbers throughout the year at Lake Powell. Less common were Musk and Blue-billed Ducks.

Bird such as the Red-necked Stint and Curlew Sandpiper are migratory waders with breeding grounds in the Northern Hemisphere.

Counting the waterfowl on the lake has been a challenge, especially in windy conditions when most ducks seem to prefer sheltering at the far end of the lake. The bird hide has made a real difference but further work is needed on the access path as it is underwater when the Lake levels rise. Then we have to resort to to long wellington boots!

During most of the surveys a wide variety of bush birds including parrots, honeyeaters, thornbills, fairy-wrens and firetails has been observed. A Swamp Harrier was the most regularly sighted bird of prey.
Anne Bondin
Join the Albany Bird Group - Contact Anne 9844 1793 albanybirds@hotmail.com

The Torbay area is highly suited to perennial pastures with high rainfall and good summer moisture. Good establishment is critical and should be approached in the same way as sowing any other crop. Success is dependent on three things:

1. Time and depth of planting
2. Good weed and insect control
3. Site conditions

Sow summer active grasses like Setaria and Rhodes grass in the spring: for Torbay this is between September to November. Planting temperate perennials is best done in autumn after the break of season (Tall Fescue may need to go in before June while the soil is still warm). Lucerne can be sown in either autumn early winter or late winter early spring.

Weed control is critical for a good establishment. At least two sprays for weeds is a good idea and more may be necessary depending on the weed burden. Rye grass can be a real problem and must be controlled in the previous spring. Heavy grazing by stock is a good strategy to use before herbicide application to help reduce herbage. Talk to John Moore about the best herbicides to use.

Other establishment issues are insects and sowing depth. If red legged earth mites are a problem they must be controlled, as they are capable of completely wiping out your newly emerged pasture!