Wetland Project
The slightly feral and reed-choked area either side of our driveway, just before you come up the rise through the vineyard, is a series of ponds and marshes called a wetland.
It extends from both sides of our driveway, through a series of linked ponds, springs, stands of blackwoods, mellaluca and tree-ferns, all the way up-stream to our southern boundary, and covers an area of approximately 6 hectares.
It’s home to a diverse range of fauna including platypus, ducks, swans, native hens, frogs, swamp harriers (hawks), plovers, and numerous migratory species that drop in for a few days on their way north or south.
Wetlands provide a valuable filtering system for water before it enters downstream creeks and river systems. By maintaining our wetland, we ensure that all water that flows off Brook Eden into neighbouring properties is potentially cleaner than when it arrived.
The aim of the Brook Eden Wetland Project is to slowly remove all weeds and non-native vegetation from the marshes and pond surrounds, and replace them with native riparian species, especially with plants and shrubs which provide valuable habitat and food sources for native fauna.
We aim to eventually have a walking track, some boardwalks, viewing platforms and just nice places to sit and observe some native wildlife in its natural habitat.
Stage 1 is fencing the area off to prevent the cattle entering and fouling the water.
Stage 2 is the rather daunting task of removing blackberry and numerous other weeds (including the prolific, non-native cubunghi bullrush, whose slender form graces our wine label!) and replanting with native flora.
Stage 3 will be the construction of some low-impact viewing platforms and boardwalks to give visitors a closer look at the flora and fauna of our wetlands.
In the meantime, pause as you drive through it (if only to avoid the ducks which like to sit on the edge of the road), as you may spot a platypus. We usually see 2 or 3 when we’re working in the vineyard.
New Developments
Our first Goshawk
It’s been 3 years since we began this project and today we saw the first sign that we’re achieving something. We saw a white Goshawk swooping and soaring through the Blackwoods of the wetland. The white Goshawk (the white form of the Grey Goshawk) is the only pure white raptor in the world and is an endangered species in Tasmania, due to habitat loss from logging of forests.
We only saw the one, but we’re hoping it has a mate and they take up residence in the wetland.
We’ve confirmed Brook Eden is now home to two endangered species:
The burrowing crayfish,
which we’ve positively identified around the wetland through numerous sightings of the unique mud “chimneys” it builds above its burrow.
The Eastern Barred Bandicoot.
Two sightings in the last few days when we’ve been mowing long grass near the top Chardonnay block. We’ve now left the grass alone, in case there’s a nest in there.
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