Jerringot Wildlife Reserve

The Belmont Common is bordered by Barwon Heads Road, Breakwater Road and the Barwon River, and it is here, close to roads, shops and industrial sites that one of Geelong's very special places, Jerringot Wildlife Reserve is found. Jerringot is a Koori word meaning 'water all around' or 'place of billabongs'. It was a camping ground and a meeting place for the local Wathaurong tribes, as the Belmont escarpment sheltered the Common area from the cold westerlies.

There was abundant food available, such as :-

Tangled LignumBefore European settlement the area was open grassy red gum woodland. The tangled lignum, Muehlenbeckia florulenta and some of the aquatic plants such as reeds and rushes remain today as remnants of the original vegetation.

Jerringot contains 12 species of plants which are considered regionally significant. Common Nardoo, Marsilea drummondii, is considered rare locally. Water Plantain, Alisma plantago aquatica, is not common west of Melbourne. This plant grows in water up to 45cm in depth, and survives when the water level falls. This is a species which requires regular flood cycles for survival.

Latham's SnipeOver 120 species of birds have been recorded at Jerringot. One of the most notable birds on the wetland is Latham's or Japanese Snipe, Gallinago hardwickii. Of international significance, these snipe breed in Japan and then fly 2000 km to south eastern Australia, arriving early spring and staying until late summer. Jerringot is one of the most important and ideal sites for Latham's snipe. Over 300 birds have been recorded in trapping and banding surveys, and an estimated 1000 individuals use Jerringot each year.

There are 37 birds which breed here, a very high number for an urban parkland. Since 1996 the tiny Baillon's Crake, Porzana pusila has been recorded breeding in the Golf course Swamp at Jerringot, one of only two recorded breeding sites in Victoria.

Ewing's Tree FrogFive species of frogs have been recorded at Jerringot,. The Pobblebonk, Limnodynastes dumerilii, Spotted Marsh Frog, L. tasmaniensis, Common Froglet, Crinia signifera, Ewing's Tree Frog, Litoria ewingii and the regionally significant Growling Grass Frog Litoria raniformis. Tiger snakes and Grass Skinks are commonly found sunning themselves on the cycle paths. Mammals recorded for the wetland include the Ring-tailed and Brush tailed possums and four species of bats. Full Flora and Fauna List.

The GFNC conducts many events in and around Jerringot and has installed interpretive signs. The Belmont Common Open Day last year attracted hundreds of interested locals, who were taken on a guided tour, bird-watching, frog-watching and pond dipping.Snipefest Our Annual Snipefest is attended by over three hundred school children each year. The kids come down to welcome the migratory Latham's Snipe back from their breeding grounds in Japan. Activities include mask-making, face-painting, bird-watching, snipe-food hunting, poster competitions and the like. All are designed to increase awareness of the rare gem, Jerringot.

 

The Belmont Common, including our wetland, was under threat from a proposed International Watersports Complex. This project was to see a 2km long, 120 m wide channel between high earthen banks, ripped right through the middle of the common. The project threatened the Barwon River, the Belmont Common and to our wetland.  The GFNC worked hard with other concerned groups to ensure that Jerringot remained one of the very best urban wetlands in Victoria. The proposal was given the 'thumbs down'. Map Ref: E:2682 / N:57710

IWSC

For more information contact us or visit Friends of the Belmont Common.

Page last modified 09/10/2004