Birding Hotspots – Serendip Sanctuary, Lara
One of my favourite birding hotspots is Serendip Sanctuary. Situated in Lara, not far from Geelong, the sanctuary is home to around 150 species of birdlife, plus kangaroos, wallabies, and emus. Parks Victoria uses Serendip for wildlife research. Additionally, it serves as a holding facility in the captive breeding program for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot. Serendip also focuses on environmental education of the flora and fauna of the wetlands and grassy woodlands.
Serendip Sanctuary features open grassy woodlands and wetlands of the western volcanic plains. Four interconnecting trails meander the sanctuary with predator-proof fencing providing a safe haven. The trails start at the information centre; each path is no longer than 2km.


History
In the 1860s, George Fairbairn Snr, one of Australia’s most successful pastoralists, established Serendip as a premier sheep stud. He named it ‘Woodlands’ before changing it to ‘Windemere’ in 1880. Unfortunately, the grasslands vanished with the land cleared, driving all wildlife from the area. The Victorian Government purchased the property in the early 1900s. However, the Lara Inebriates Institution took over the homestead and 258 hectares. In 1930, James McDonald bought the land when the Inebriates Institution closed. He then turned it into a crop and sheep farm and leased the original homestead to the State Tobacco Company.

Oscar and Edna Mendelsohn bought the property when the Tobacco company folded in 1948. They named the property Serendip and established an almond orchard. In addition, the water reservoir was proclaimed a wildlife sanctuary for birdlife. Finally, in 1959, the Mendelsohns sold the land to the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. The Department assumed control of the 240 hectares surrounding the wildlife sanctuary.

Wildlife Walk
The wildlife walk is the most popular and allows visitors to experience a close encounter with wildlife. This walk takes you past grazing Eastern Grey Kangaroos, then through a series of bird hides, viewing areas and finally into free-flight aviaries.

Wildlife
Over time, attracted by the wetlands, the number of species breeding there increased from 40 in 1959 to 150 in 2021. Cape barren geese, magpie geese and yellow-billed spoonbills thrive in the shallow freshwater wetland. Additionally, the marshland is home to many ducks and white-faced herons, nankeen night herons, black swans and grebes. Honeyeaters and wattlebirds feed on the nectar and insects in the trees around Lake Serendip while Whistling and Black kites soar and swoop overhead, looking for small prey on the ground.

The Billabong habitat is home to Ducks, swamphens, moorhens, frogs, water rats, and snakes. In contrast, the north arm is a permanent wetland with reliable fish populations providing food for pelicans and cormorants.

Protected Species
Australian Bustards and Bush Stone Curlew are two rare Victorian birds that were once common on the western plains. As the Brolgas and Australian bustards were on the verge of extinction, they were selected for the captive breeding program. The success of the program has since received international recognition.

Australia’s rarest waterfowl, the Freckled Duck, is also on display at Serendip, along with the most secretive of owls, the Masked Owl. Pademelons can be seen at the sanctuary but are now extinct in the wild in Victoria.


Where is it?
100 Windermere Road, Lara
Open 8 am to 4 pm. Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday
Entry is free
Thankyou Bevlea very interesting
thankyou Veronica appreciate the feedback
Thank you Bevlea, this is really helpful