Bringing Back a Wetland CVA - Western Australia

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Western AustraliaConservation project - Capel Capers Bringing Back A Wetland

It's only a short drive by Australian standards - a 200km trip from Perth down to the Capel Wetlands Centre, a lake chain of more than a dozen artificial lakes, near Geographe Bay. The south west of Western Australia is a popular destination for travellers due to the stunning scenery and seemingly endless beaches - and I've got a fantastic opportunity to spend some time here volunteering.

Capel Wetlands is a lake chain of more than a dozen artificial lakes.

This amazing wetlands area has been developed from rehabilitated mine pits and transformed into a haven for birds and other wildlife. The ponds attract more than fifty species of water birds and sixty species of bush birds. The site was developed when a mining company decided to rehabilitate the site as a major environmental project in 1985. Volunteers have been helping here for more than a decade and we - a team of 7 volunteers, plus our Team Leader, Russell - are looking forward to playing our part at this unique location.

The scenery on the way to the project is interesting and varied. From Perth, we drive past Cockburn Sound with glimpses to Garden Island, then on through Mandurah with views over the Peel-Harvey Inlet, one of the larger estuarine areas in the South West. The area adjacent to the Capel Wetland Centre contains one of the largest remnant stands of Tuart, a gum tree that support a diverse mammal population that is now protected within a conservation reserve. Also nearby is the Vasse-Wonerup estuary, a wetland of international importance and the home to flocks of Black Swans and other migratory wetland birds.

Among the things many visitors hope to spot are at the Capel Wetlands Centre are flocks of waterbirds such as the Straw Necked and White Ibis, Dabbling Duck and Cormorants.

All these can be viewed from the purpose-built bird hide and viewing platform, and Russell tells us that we will have plenty of opportunities to do this during the week. Nocturnal mammals that have been recorded on the wetland site include the South Brown Bandicoot and the Brush-tailed Possum.

On arrival, the first thing that happens is an introduction to the site, from Russell, our Team Leader, and Anne who manages the site and has been associated with the wetland program for more than five years. We learn about the history of Capel Wetlands in more detail, and get an idea of the site layout, plus of course the important safety briefing.

Our project starts when we commence our on-ground work program. Teams of volunteers have already prepared the ground for planting back in February, by removing weeds and sorting out the nursery planting stock. It's June now, and our team, plus others which will follow next month, will take advantage of the winter rains by planting trees, shrubs and grasses, to improve the habitat still further. Russell shows us how to install protective bags over each plant to stop rabbits (and waterbirds!) from eating the newly-planted seedlings.

It's great to understand the seasonal cycle that volunteer teams undertake here - towards the end of the year (September to December), more teams will come here to collect seeds and propagate them, ready for next year's planting season.

Using tree guards to protect newly-planted seedlings

We learn lots of skills such as how to recreate habitat by selecting the right plant for the right location, identify Australian native plants and invasive weed species, and lots of handy tips on the identification of wetland birds.

Planting grasses to stabilise wetland edges

We're staying at a camping ground at nearby Peppermint Beach, right on the coast. It's beautiful: clean white sands, clear water and dramatic dunes, and we all enjoy getting up early for a morning beach walk - what a great place to stay! We're sleeping in rustic cabins, and we have access to all the facilities we need.

We go for a walk along Peppermint Beach one evening, and spot a pod of dolphins - they are close to the shore, and we have a fantastic view of them as they skim through the water, they are so acrobatic and look like they are having fun!

One afternoon, after finishing project activities for the day, we enjoy a walk to the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse - at the right time of the year, you can sometimes spot migrating whales from here, but the walk and the view is worth it at any time. At night, we enjoy spotting possums on and around the cabins, just using our torches - they don't seem bothered and it's a privilege to be so close to wildlife.

All too soon, the week is over. Anne from the Wetlands Centre thanks us for our help, as does Russell, our Team Leader. They remind us that all our efforts this week will really help with the on-going rehabilitation of the wetland, and it's great to feel that we have been part of this program.

We are presented with certificates to thank us, and we take yet more team photographs which will be lasting memories of our time together - a week ago, I didn't know the other volunteers, and now I feel like they are friends for life!

Next week, we'll be on another volunteer project, this time heading to a wildlife sanctuary, close to Perth, where we'll help create habitat in readiness for a mammal reintroduction program. Russell says there will be plenty of opportunities to see and learn about West Australian wildlife - can't wait!

Further information on the Conservation Volunteers Australia Project

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