Lake Thetis

Visited: summer

Recommendation: This is an easy place to wildlife spot, although it is very exposed to the elements. Any animals will also see you coming a mile off.

Lake Thetis is just south of the small town of Cervantes and it's, It looks almost completely circular and man-made. However, scientists believe it was formed during the last ice age, when sea levels were lower and the area was inundated by seawater. As the climate warmed and sea levels rose, the lake became isolated, and the high salt content created a unique environment. And in this environment, Stromatolites were able to grow. They are ancient living fossils but you wouldn't really know it to look at them!

Stromatolites

Around the lake is mostly dense shrub and you can walk through it, all the way around. Part is boardwalk that leads you out onto the lake and you can see some interesting information there about the Stromatolites. The day that I visited was incredibly windy which made photography very difficult and it must have been more difficult for the birds. A single swan was out on the lake and there were some Hoary-headed Grebes but they didn't let me get anywhere near them.

As I walked further around the lake, I saw a group of cormorants. There was Pied, Little Pied and Little Black Cormorants. It's quite unusual to see three species of cormorant inland and together like this.

Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus)

Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)

Little Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos)

Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)

I couldn't see any waders initially, but I did eventually start to pick out some movement on the shoreline. First of all, a Common Sandpiper and then a Red-capped Plover. It was a very attractive female bird and she was hanging about, not too bothered by me. I wasn't that near to her, but it was obvious she was aware of me and as I was looking at her as she walked on top of a set of Stromatolites. I saw a tiny blob behind her, and looking through my camera lens, I could see two very, very small, very young chicks. I would say they were only a day or so old and they already were well-versed in what to do when there was any kind of perceived threat around. They alternately ran to mum or ducked down in the cover in the Stromatolites. I got a couple of very bad shots off, but I didn't want to disturb them, so I left them to it.

Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus)

A great find was my first sighting of a Western Heath Dragon. They are primarily found along the lower coast of Western Australia, between Kalbarri and Perth. The lake is perfect habitat for them as they prefer sandplains, heath and banksia woodlands.

Western Heath Dragon (Ctenophorus adelaidensis)

There was Silvereye everywhere throughout the bush around the lake It was nice to hear their cheery call as they chattered away to each other and flitted about low to the bush, trying to stay out of the wind. On the far side is quite a nice view of the surrounding countryside and an expanse of low-lying shrub. There are obvious continuing attempts to regenerate the area. Towards the end of the loop there are some picnic tables, so it's seems to be a place for locals to visit. I definitely thought it worth a stop for a lunch and a look at what's on the lake. There have been everything from avocets to Little Eagles reported here, so it's a very good place to stop if you've only got half an hour or an hour to spend.

Pied Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

On another, less windy stop at Lake Thetis as I was staying in Cervantes, was productive. All of the birds above were still present but this time, I also saw Grey Teal, a pair of Musk Duck and some Red-necked Avocets. In the morning, the eastern side provides cover enough to photograph any birds on the lake while the light is good.

Grey Teal (Anas gracilis)

Musk Duck (Biziura lobata)

Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae)

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse