Simple steps can make a big difference

ONE of the most encouraging environmental stories I have seen recently did not start with a big strategy or a major funding announcement, but with a simple request from a community member.

In response to this request, in December 2023 Council’s mowing crews began leaving a ten-metre vegetation buffer around the edge of Drysdale’s Lake Lorne, instead of mowing right to the water’s edge.

This small but deliberate change has made a big difference in increasing habitat for a bird known as Latham’s snipe.

Every year, between breeding seasons, these remarkable birds travel more than 8,000km from Japan and eastern Russia to wetlands across Geelong and the Bellarine.

Lake Lorne is one of the places where the Latham’s snipe returns each year. It is a natural freshwater system of around 12 hectares and supports a wide range of birdlife, along with frogs, turtles and reptiles. It also plays a role as a refuge during drought and the duck hunting season.

The Latham’s snipe is not an obvious bird. It stays low, keeps to covered areas and is easy to miss unless you know what you’re looking for.

They arrive around August and stay until approximately April the next year. To thrive, they need grass near the water, muddy areas where they can feed and minimal disturbance.

When the January 2026 bird survey was carried out, seven Latham’s snipe were recorded at the lake.

That is the strongest result since 2020. In the years between 2021 and 2023, when mowing extended right to the water’s edge, none were recorded.

Community member Margaret Alcorn, who conducts regular surveys at Lake Lorne for the Latham’s Snipe Project summed it up perfectly when she said, “This is our best count since 2020. The no mowing policy is keeping the habitat suitable for the Latham’s Snipe. Well done.”

Lake Lorne is not the only place where this type of work is happening. Begola Wetlands in Ocean Grove is also part of the Bellarine’s wetland network and supports a range of bird species, including the Latham’s snipe.

At Begola, Council engaged an ecologist to develop a management plan focused on improving habitat for the species.

One of the recommended actions was to increase mudflat areas by carefully removing small sections of tall marsh vegetation that had spread through the wetland and limited access to feeding and roosting areas.

As tall marsh is indigenous to the area, the works were undertaken with approval from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and have been closely monitored since they began in mid-2024.

Over the most recent spring and summer period, Latham’s snipe have been observed foraging in the newly created mudflats, showing that works have successful.

A bird count carried out in November 2025 by Friends of Begola Wetlands and the Geelong Field Naturalists Club recorded 76 Latham’s Snipe at the site, which is a great result.

What is happening at Lake Lorne and Begola Wetlands is deeply encouraging and shows that relatively simple management decisions, guided by community input and expert advice, can make a measurable difference for this protected bird.

To keep up to date on our environmental news and upcoming planting days, you can subscribe to an email alert on our website at geelongaustralia.com.au/environment

Cr Elise Wilkinson

Connewarre Ward, City of Greater Geelong