Herdsman Lake ( nys, Njookenbooro), also known as Herdsmans Lake, is a

freshwater Fresh water or freshwater is any naturally occurring liquid or frozen water containing low concentrations of dissolved salts and other total dissolved solids. Although the term specifically excludes seawater and brackish water, it does incl ...

lake A lake is an area filled with water, localized in a basin, surrounded by land, and distinct from any river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake. Lakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, although, like the much large ...

located on the

Swan Coastal Plain The Swan Coastal Plain in Western Australia is the geographic feature which contains the Swan River as it travels west to the Indian Ocean. The coastal plain continues well beyond the boundaries of the Swan River and its tributaries, as a geo ...

, north-west of

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...

, Western Australia, in the suburb of Herdsman. The main shared use path around the lake is approximately 8 kilometres in length, whilst the wetland perimeter of the lake is approximately 7.5 kilometres.

Description

The lake is encompassed by Herdsman Lake Regional Park. It measures in length, and in width, totaling over .www.wagouldleague.com.au
''About Herdsman Lake Regional Park''. Accessed 21 February 2005. The perimeter of the lake is dredged to provide permanent open water, 15% of the area, during the dry summer months. The lake is a wildlife sanctuary, with birdwatching a popular activity. Almost 80% of the lake is covered with Typha rush (''

Typha orientalis ''Typha orientalis'', commonly known as bulrush, cumbungi, or raupō, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the genus ''Typha''. It is native to Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, China and the ...

''), an introduced weed. In summer, most of the lake is dry. 15% of the lake is permanent deep water. In the 1830s, the lake was a possible water supply for Perth. In 1936, the lake was almost used as an alternative airport. Herdsman Lake was declared a regional park in 1999. The Herdsman Main Drain is a x underground pipe drain carrying excess water from the lake to its outflow at City Beach.

Attractions

Attractions within the park include the Olive Seymour Boardwalk,

Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre Herdsman (plural herdsmen) can refer to: * Herder, a worker who lives a possibly semi-nomadic life, caring for various domestic animals * Herdsman, Western Australia, a suburb of Perth ** Herdsman Lake, a groundwater lake located in Herdsman * ' ...

and Settler's Cottage. It also contains a statue created by

Pietro Porcelli Pietro Giacomo Porcelli (30 January 1872 – 28 June 1943) was an Italian-born sculptor responsible for many statues in Western Australia, including the Explorers' Monument, and those of C. Y. O'Connor and Alexander Forrest. Biography Born ...

, which formerly sat atop the now demolished AMP Chambers building, which was rescued and placed on one of the islands. Walking, cycling, picnicking, birdwatching and wildflower spotting are popular activities in the park. Disabled access is provided.

Birds

More than 160 species of bird have been recorded at Herdsman Lake, including a number of notable sightings and endemic species to the region.

Notable sightings

* Purple Heron in February 2013, a vagrant to Australia *

Striated Heron The striated heron (''Butorides striata'') also known as mangrove heron, little green heron or green-backed heron, is a small heron, about 44 cm tall. Striated herons are mostly sedentary and noted for some interesting behavioral traits. The ...

in July 2013, vagrant this far south in Western Australia *

Collared Pratincole The collared pratincole (''Glareola pratincola''), also known as the common pratincole or red-winged pratincole, is a wader in the pratincole family, Glareolidae. As with other pratincoles, it is native to the Old World. Taxonomy The collared p ...

in January 2019, first found at Point Walter and later relocated at Herdsman Lake, a first record for Australia *

Wandering Whistling-Duck The wandering whistling duck (''Dendrocygna arcuata'') is a species of whistling duck. They inhabit tropical and subtropical Australia, the Philippines, Borneo, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. Taxonomy There are three subsp ...

in May 2019, vagrant this far south in Western Australia *

Eastern Yellow Wagtail The eastern yellow wagtail (''Motacilla tschutschensis'') is a small passerine in the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes the pipits and longclaws. It was often classified as a subspecies of the Western yellow wagtail. This species ...

in January 2020, vagrant this far south in Western Australia

References

External links

Herdsman Lake Wildlife Photographs

Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre
* Parks and Wildlife Service
Herdsman Lake Regional Park

Herdsman Lake Regional Park management plan
{{Authority control Lakes of Perth, Western Australia Remnant urban bushland