Lake Elingamite is a marr volcano. Marr volcanoes occur where the ground is wet. The molten rock erupts through the wet rock and the high pressure steam blasts the surrounding rock into "ash". Layers of ash were clearly visible along the entrance road.

Lake Elingamite has in the past, been heavily grazed, with the result that the original tree and shrub cover was lost. Over the past four years, some parts have had grazing removed, and trees and shrubs planted.

The lake is an excellent place for birds. Water birds are usually abundant, and the surrounding tree and shrub cover provides for smaller birds.

Thanks to Helen Langley for taking us to this interesting lake.

The birds recorded during the walk were:

Great Crested Grebe   Australian Shoveler  Willie Wagtail
Hoary-headed Grebe    Australian Wood Duck Golden-headed Cisticola
Australian Pelican    Wedge-tailed Eagle   Superb Fairy Wren
Great Cormorant       Swamp Harrier        Brown Thornbill
White-faced Heron     Purple Swamphen      White-fronted Chat
Great Egret           Masked Lapwing       Silvereye
Australian White Ibis Black-winged Stilt  *House Sparrow
Straw-necked Ibis     Silver Gull          Red-browed Firetail  
Pacific Black Duck    Long-billed Corella  Magpie
Grey Teal             Grey Fantail         Little Raven

Bird list supplied by John Gregurke


1: Layers of volcanic ash (tuff) along the entrance road.
2: The trees and shubs have thrived. The dense cover is attractive to many species of bird. Records from early European visitors show that the area was originally densely vegetated.