For further information, contact:

CITY OF GREATER GEELONG 03 5227 0270 www.geelongaustralia.com.au

CORANGAMITE CATCHMENT BIODIVERSITY VALUES MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY 03 5232 9100  The Workers for Community Group have installed www.ccma.vic.gov.au LORNE a large number of nesting boxes within the lake. These boxes have proven very popular with the birds and large PARKS INFO LINE Wanderings 4 numbers of ducklings have been raised over many years. 131 963  A diverse range of aquatic vegetation exists which DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY provides cover for aquatic arthropods providing a food AND ENVIRONMENT source for many waterfowl. Black Swans, Coots and 136 186 Purple Swamphens also use the aquatic vegetation for building and supporting their nests. GEELONG FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB INC http://home.vicnet.au/~gfnc  The lake shores slope gently so when the water level falls a border of bare mud is exposed, supporting important INJURED BIRDS AND ANIMALS wader species. JIRRAHLINGA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY 03 5254 2484  The parklands that surround the lake include extensive grassed areas and plantings of native indigenous and WORKERS FOR WETLANDS exotic vegetation. The City has been undertaking an (E. Walker) 03 5282 3176 on-going program of weed and exotic vegetation removal and complimenting this with revegetation using species such as Red Gums and Swamp Gums.  The lake supports a large and diverse population of waterbirds including several which have special conservation status. These include Freckled Ducks and Blue-Billed Ducks. A project sponsored by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality program.  The lake is especially important for Blue-Billed Ducks A joint Initiative of the Victorian and Australian Governments. as both a regular breeding site and a drought refuge.  The trees on the island in the lake are used as roost sites by large numbers of waterbirds. These include Little This site is part of the Wetland Wanderings Black , Egrets, Australian White Ibis Ecotour. Each wetland site has its own brochure and Straw-necked Ibis. highlighting the features of the site in more detail.  Ducks and other waterbirds occur at Lake Lorne throughout Some sites may be drive by only and some are the year; a number of species appear to be residents. close to a parking bay so you can stop, read the site information from the selected brochure and  It provides an important role as a drought refuge for go for a wander around the wetland. waterbirds. It is also important as a refuge from hunting during the open season. Happy Wetland Wandering  The Workers for Wetlands and Geelong Fields Naturalists Club have a strong interest in this lake and have a signifi cant amount of information available regarding birds and the nest box program. WWW.GEELONGAUSTRALIA.COM.AU WWW.GEELONGAUSTRALIA.COM.AU Lake Lorne located on the urban edge of Drysdale, is a magic spot to visit, a place that gives you a very close look at a wetland LAKE LORNE environment. This very signifi cant wetland environment is home to many bird species and is also a great place to stop and unwind with a walk and appreciate what is in our environmental backyard.

LOCATION  Lake Lorne is located west of the Drysdale Township and 1 immediately adjacent to the Old Drysdale Station on the Geelong/Queenscliff Railway Line. Melways Ref: 456 F12.

SITE DESCRIPTION  Lake Lorne is a Crown Land Reserve with the City of Greater Geelong having Committee of Management responsibilities.  It is a natural freshwater lake of approximately 2 12 hectares in size.  The lake occupies a depression probably formed by the dissolution of the underlying Curlewis limestone.  Substantial variation in water level may occur in the lake, often showing a lag in the response to prevailing climatic conditions. After periods of high rainfall, water levels may not rise until some considerable time later and substantial water levels may persist into very dry periods.  The central part of the lake is shallow, forming an island when water levels are very low.  In the early 1980’s parts of the lake were deepened and a higher island was built with the spoil to provide a safe refuge for waterfowl.

POINTS OF INTEREST 1 Historic Drysdale Railway Station. 2 A good spot to watch for birdlife.