Bower The Barwon Project is an The Flora of the Barwon Estuary

initiation of the Barwon Heads Sustainability The Barwon Estuary Project is an initiative The river follows a 160 km course that rises in the Group- a sub group of the Barwon Heads Otway Ranges, and empties into Bass Strait of the Barwon Heads Sustainability Group Community Arts Garden. between the sea side villages of Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.

The river meanders south of and replenishes Our aim is to increase the knowledge and Our aim is to increase the knowledge and Connewarre as well as the internationally appreciation of the biodiversity and fragility appreciation of the biodiversity and fragility of recognised RAMSAR and Hospital of the Barwon River. We offer a free program of Swamp. the Barwon River walks, creative workshops and information sessions.

We are calling for participants to record their estuary observation on line, or in a diary We are calling for participants to record their and to contribute to a community publication. estuary observations on line, or in a diary and to contribute to a community publication.

For information contact:

[email protected] For information contact: River spinach [email protected] Walk

Some Common Vegetation along the Barwon Estuary

A Walker’s Guide to the Ecosystems of the Barwon River Trees-

Barwon River Golden Wattle - Acacia pycnantha The river supports a wide range of vegetation Drooping She Oak -Allocasuarina verticillata at Barwon Heads communities and is a vital habitat for estuarine fauna. Moonah -Melaleuca lanceolata It is home to many water birds, as well as a nursery White Mangrove – Avicennia marina Seaberry saltbush site for many small fish and aquatic life. Coast Tea-tree -Leptospermum laevigatum

The mudflats and coastal saltmarshes are home to unique plants that have adapted to this harsh Shrub species- environment Gold Dust Wattle – Acacia acinacea Hedge Wattle -Acacia paradoxa The Barwon River boardwalk lets visitors experience Sweet Wattle - Acacia suaveolens the most western occurrence of White Mangroves in Coast Wattle- Acacia uncifolia Australia. Coast Beard-Heath -Leucopogon parviflorus Mangroves grow in the tidal mudflats and play a vital Thyme Rice-flower –Pimelea serpyllifolia part in erosion control as well as being a food source Twin Leaf- Zygophyllum billardierei for numerous creatures. Decaying leaves are broken down by microbes and bacteria, which are then eaten Saltmarsh Species by aquatic invertebrates and small fish, which in turn Beaded Glasswort Sarcocornia quinqueflora are eaten by birds and larger fish. Shrubby Glasswort - Sclerostegia arbuscula Common Sea Heath- Frankenia pauciflora Above the tide line in the coastal dunes the Moonah Seaberry Saltbush -Rhagodia candolleana trees and many other species can be found and provide crucial habitat for the coastal fauna. Sea Lavender – Limonium austral Climbers The Barwon Estuary Project Small Leafed Clematis-Clematis microphylla Bower Spinach – Tetragonia implexicoma

A Walker’s Guide to the Barwon River at Barwon Heads

Some fish Species

Estuary Perch Mullet Sand Crabs Toad Fish Flathead Mulloway Moonah Silver Trevally Park Bream Walking track King George Whiting Elephant Fish Calamari Salmon

Some Bird Species

Australasian Grebe Australian Magpie Australian Pelican Australian Raven Australian Reed-warbler Australian White Ibis Australian Wood Duck Black swan Board Walk Caspian Tern Crimson Rosella Eastern Rosella Great Cormorant Great Egret Boat Grey Butcherbird ramp Grey Currawong Pacific Black Duck Pacific Gull Flora Key Boat Pied Currawong ramp Purple-crowned Lorikeet Vegetaion MangrovesKey Purple Swamphen Rainbow Lorikeet Moonah Straw-necked Ibis Tea trees Walking track Superb Fairy Wren Swamp Harrier She Oaks White-fronted Chat White-necked Heron Wattles White-faced Heron Willie Wagtail

Yellow-billed Spoonbill

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo