For 15 years, Friends of Forrestdale’s David James has sounded the clarion call for the black swans who breed at the lake.
Forrestdale Lake is a seasonal wetland that dries up each summer.
In years gone by, there’d be enough water left in the lake, or nearby wetlands, to protect the cygnets until they found their wings
But global heating, land clearing, and steadily declining rainfall has shortened that safety net.
“Generally speaking, the lake peaks at the end of October,” David James said. “And after that, the lake levels drop pretty quick.”
“I read the depths every week, and I do a bird count basically every second week, and I just monitor the whole operation from the first day they lay eggs.
“We can now almost predict the exact day the lake’s going to dry up.”
David James. Photograph – DBCA
Now, when the last deep pools disappear the remaining cygnets that cannot yet fly are stranded, left at risk of starvation, dehydration and fox attack.
In 2009, an annual tradition began – the Forrestdale Lake Cygnet Muster – managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
Each year, as soon as the last of the water evaporates, David James is on the phone to DBCA, and the call goes out for volunteers.
At first light on Tuesday morning, 50 volunteers, wildlife carers, and Parks and
Wildlife Service staff successfully caught and relocated 95 cygnets.
Photograph – DBCA
“The volunteer effort is crucial to the success of the operation, we’ve got the Friends of Forrestdale who monitor the lake in the lead up to the operation and advise on water levels, cygnet numbers, etcetera,” DBCA Manager Regional Parks Unit Tim Fisher said.
“And then we’ve got a whole suite of volunteers here from various wildlife rehabilitators around Perth and they come along and assist on the day and really provide the numbers we need to help round up the cygnets.
Photograph – DBCA
“We ring the lake with people and then slowly move in and herd the cygnets into a
holding pen.
“We’ve got to keep everyone sort of equally spaced – the team keeps in contact with
radio comms.
“Once you get the cygnets in the holding pen, it’s a really nice moment taking
the swans out. And you can see people are happy when they’re doing it – they’re really making a difference.”
Photograph – DBCA
Once the cygnets are successfully mustered, they are taken to the triage team.
“We have some key assessment criteria that’s printed out,” Darling Range Wildlife Shelter’s Yasmin Hunter said.
Photograph – DBCA
“So, the main thing is we get a weight. We also have a look at the general body condition of the birds, check for any injuries, any signs of them showing stress, and we also check their flight feathers.
“If their flight feathers are starting to grow through and we know that that will be fully grown within a week and the bird’s otherwise healthy, we will send them for release.”
Photograph – DBCA
The healthy cygnets from Tuesday’s muster – around half – have been released at Lake Joondalup and Canning River Regional Park.
Those who need a little more attention, will be kept safe by wildlife carers until they’re big enough to fend for themselves.
“We did actually see a couple of young swans who had recently been predated by foxes
and some of those bodies were really quite fresh – probably from that morning or overnight, Yasmin said.
“So, it just shows how important our work is to go out there and save these little guys.”
That sense of achievement is heightened by a profound feeling of camaraderie,Yasmin said.
Photograph – DBCA
“Overall, it’s a really nice day to come out, watch the sun rise over the beautiful lake here, and collaborate with everyone,” she said.
“All the major wildlife groups in Perth were represented. And it’s amazing to know that we
have such an incredible community here.
“When we work together as a team, we can achieve incredible things.”
Member for Darling Range Hugh Jones was one of the those who rolled up his trousers to save this year’s cygnets.
“It was awesome to join so many caring people at this year’s Forrestdale Lake cygnet rescue, and to witness the exceptional coordination between organisations and volunteers that make this annual event possible,” he said.
“The operation is put together each year at only one or two weeks’ notice, which is a testament to the passion and efforts of the Friends of Forrestdale, WA Parks and Wildlife, Darling Range Wildlife Shelter, Armadale Gosnells Landcare, WA Seabird Rescue and many others.”
