Wyangan Creek Regeneration Project

This week the MYP Sustainable Spartans took an early morning walk along the banks of Wyangan Creek and were amazed by the serenity of the area and diversity of birdlife. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful outdoor classroom within our College grounds.

A huge thanks to Beth and John Hall from Birdlife Southern Queensland for helping us to identify 26 bird species in just under an hour. Highlights included a flock of around 70 Little Corellas feeding in the trees, with one checking out a tree hollow wildlife box as a possible nesting site. In addition to the bird species commonly seen around the sports fields, we spotted Australasian Figbirds, an Olive-backed Oriole, Red-browed and Double-barred Finches, Mistletoe Birds, a Tawny Grassbird and a Superb Fairy Wren.

The creek is the most important wildlife habitat at Somerset. All around the world, riparian areas such as this provide critical corridors for the movement of native animals, particularly frogs and the small, secretive birds that have been most impacted by urban development. The MYP Sustainable Spartans group is committed to increasing the habitat value of our creek by planting local native vegetation for wildlife to feed, shelter and rear their young.

Somerset College has engaged local bushcare consultants Regen Australia to prepare a plan for the creek regeneration project. This will provide a framework for our ongoing conservation and environmental education efforts.