Whites Road Wetland

Visited: winter

Recommendation: This is a fantastic wetland area along with some very busy ponds. Some rare and difficult birds habve been seen here and it is worth taking time to explore.

Whites Wetland is to the north of Adelaide. It is a human-made project built in the 1990s. The land where the wetland sits was once part of an intertidal area, meaning it was alternately underwater during high tide and exposed during low tide. The construction of levy banks now prevents seawater from entering the area. 

The Whites Road Wetland serves multiple purposes from protecting landowners in Globe Derby from flooding, being a natural drainage basin for stormwater coming from the east and it provides a habitat for wildlife, attracting birds and other animals back to the area. The area is extensive and there are sealed pathways  around the wetlands and lakes. I visited on a very foggy winter morning and it took some time to start seeing birds (and a couple of large hares) but they were there. 

Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus)

Pied Stilts were present in small groups, resting or searching for food. Pied stilts have long pink legs for a few key reasons that help them thrive in their wetland environment:

• Wading Advantage: The most crucial benefit is their ability to wade in shallow water. Their long legs elevate their bodies, allowing them to access food sources and avoid deeper water where predators might lurk. Wetlands can have uneven surfaces with submerged vegetation, and long legs help them navigate these areas with ease.

• Foraging Efficiency: The long legs also give them a greater reach when foraging for food. They can probe deeper into mud and water to catch insects, crustaceans, and other small aquatic prey. This extended reach gives them an advantage over birds with shorter legs when searching for food.

• Balance and Stability: The stilt-like legs contribute to their balance and stability, particularly when wading through water. The leg placement allows them to distribute their weight evenly, preventing them from sinking or tipping over in soft mud.

As the fog began to lift the sun peaked through. There were lorikeets everywhere that the wetlands gave way to trees. Mostly they were Rainbow Lorikeets but I began to see Musk Lorikeets as well. I chased them around for a while trying to photograph them as they fed on the eucalyptus leaves and was then fortunate enough to see a pair grooming each other. 

Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna)

There were fairywren everywhere. Interestingly, they were more active when it was foggy than when the sun was out. First up were the the Superb Fairywren that sat up for me on a dead thistle. It looked glorious as it sang. 

Next visit I saw more White-winged Fairywren. It took a couple of hours before I could see the male. He flew and hopped across in front of me, singing as he went. 

I really enjoyed exploring the wetlands. On one of the days that I visited,  an Australasian Bittern was seen here. Just my luck. I look forward to returning when it is more active and the migratory birds are visiting.