Laratinga Wetlands, Mt Barker, South Australia

Today I visited the Laratinga Wetlands at Mt Barker for the first time. These wetlands are on the eastern edge of the town which is about half way between Murray Bridge and Adelaide in South Australia. I had driven past these wetlands several times in recent months but today was the first time I had the opportunity to stop and have a good look.

Sewage Plant

These wetlands were built by the local Green Corps and opened in 1999. They are next to the town’s sewage ponds. The treated water is circulated through the wetlands before being used for irrigation by nearby farmers. The tree planting around the wetlands has resulted in a beautiful environment. A picnic area complete with public toilets encourage people to use the area. Three environmental walks have been established around the perimeter or through the wetlands, including several board walks. These walks vary in distance from 0.75km to 2.2km. Walking time takes from 15 minutes to 45 minutes – for non-birders, that is. I did the 15 minute walk and it took me 50 minutes! Far too many birds to watch!

Bird List

The birding here is really wonderful with a good range of water birds to be seen in close up. The following is a list of the waterbirds I saw this afternoon:

• White Ibis
• White-faced Heron
• Eurasian Coot
• Dusky Moorhen
• Hoary-headed Grebe
• Australasian Grebe
• Pacific Black Duck
• Hardhead
• Grey Teal
• Australasian Shoveller

Other species recorded were:

• Little Raven
• Galah
• Little Corella
• Red-rumped Parrot
• Adelaide Rosella
• Australian Magpie-lark
• Australian Magpie
• Common Starling
• Common Blackbird
• Welcome Swallow
• New Holland Honeyeater
• White-plumed Honeyeater
• Noisy Miner
• Superb Blue Wren
• Little Grassbird
• Striated Pardalote

Post updated in September 2015 and photos added.

Eurasian Coot, Laratinga Wetlands, Mt Barker

Purple Swamphen, Laratinga Wetlands, Mt Barker, South Australia

Purple Swamphen, Laratinga Wetlands, Mt Barker, South Australia