Spectacular settlers still enjoy sanctuary
THE great grey Cape Barren geese that grace the wetlands around Lara are spectacular birds that owe their existence in the township to the early days at Serendip Sanctuary.
When the sanctuary was established in the early 1960s, with Don White as resident manager, four species of birds were settled there.
The primary objective was to captive-breed them for later release in Western Victoria where all had become rare.
The geese were known to breed only on a few islands in Bass Strait, and come to the mainland in late spring once the goslings are able to fly.
They are extremely faithful to the place where they are born and raised to flying age, so the islands remained their principal breeding site.
When Serendip Sanctuary had a change in focus, the Cape Barrens and the pied geese, were allowed to fly free.
But the Cape Barren geese in particular stayed around their home base.
With adequate feeding places — they feed largely on various grasses — and safety from predation and hunting, they stayed close to home, in this case Lara.
As each generation is born and raised in the area, so the population grows.
If we are truly pedantic, it is fair to say they are not natives, for their forebears were brought here from the Bass Strait islands.
Nonetheless, they are welcome, even though when they stray across to Avalon they may be seen as a hazard to the planes at the airfield.
Time will tell if that is the case.
Meanwhile, we can enjoy the beauty of these birds, and take care to ensure they are not harassed or harmed by thoughtless people.