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Visited: winter
Recommendation: This is a popular recreation area with lots of families visiting. The area has trails criss crossing through it and there is great access to the waterways. It is definitely a place of interest.
Laratinga Wetlands, located in Mount Barker, South Australia, is a relatively young ecosystem but is important nonetheless. The name "Laratinga" originates from the Peramangk language, meaning "Flooding Land Creek". This indigenous group, the Peramangk people, have a deep connection to the land and its waterways. They inhabited the area for millennia before European settlement.
Prior to the wetland's creation, the site was used for agriculture. Improved pastures were grown, and cattle grazed the land. This practice continued until the early 2000s when the land was transformed into a wetland. With a growing population in Mount Barker, the disposal of treated water became a pressing issue. To address this, the Mount Barker District Council constructed Laratinga Wetlands in 1999. The wetland system was designed to naturally clean wastewater before it was released into the environment.
Since its creation, Laratinga Wetlands has undergone significant ecological restoration. Initially heavily infested with weeds, the area has been revitalized with native plant species. The wetland's water management has also evolved over time to better mimic natural conditions, supporting a diverse range of wildlife. Today, it is a wonderful place to visit and see a wide variety of birds.
Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea)
Hardhead (Aythya australis)
The wetlands contain several bodies of water which are surrounded by lots of eucalypt and acacia trees making the walking trails very pleasant to walk through. There are Freckled Duck here regularly but alas, not on either of my visits. But, there are many resident ducks here making it a great place to photograph them. Pacific Black Duck, Chestnut and Grey Teal are relatively tame along the channels connecting the ponds. Hardhead are a little more shy, heading out to the middle of the water when they are spotted. All the ducks looked beautiful in the intermittent sunshine.
Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus)
New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)
A picnic area surrounded by low bushes provided opportunity to view and photograph bush birds. White-plumed Honeyeaters, Adelaide Rosella, Galah, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and lots of thornbill can be found here. The Red-browed Firetail were collecting nesting material dead grass, the Superb Fairywren were jumping around, chattering as normal and the New Holland Honeyeater sat up singing and squabbling with each other
Red-browed Firetail (Neochmia temporalis)
Probably the best find at these wetlands (in the absence of Freckled Duck) was the crakes. I saw both Australian Spotted and the Spotless Crake. A local birder told me that in breeding season, you are tripping over these secretive birds here. I love seeing them and they are clearly used to human presence as this bird came right up to me feet. It is always a surprise when you see crakes as they are so tiny, only measuring around 19cm.
The Spotless Crake was more elusive, seen fleeing across the reeds in the pond at the end of the connecting channels. Next time!
Australian Spotted Crake (Porzana fluminea)
One of the most interesting sights on both of my visits were the grebes. I have never seen a mixed group of grebes actively moving and fishing together like they did here. On my first visit, I made the mistake of getting too close to the side of the pond and they immediately scattered. Second time, I waited behind a tree and got them with my long lens. Most of the group were Australasian Grebe with a few Hoary-headed as well. Most interestingly was that there were juveniles, non-breeding adults and breeding adults. Possibly more exciting than the crakes was seeing for the first time, Hoary-headed Grebes in full breeding plumage. Those silvery plumes were spectacular.
Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus)
Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)
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