Redman Bluff Wetlands
Redman Bluff Wetlands, which surround Grampians Paradise, is being developed by Aidan Banfield with the help of his parents and friends as an environmental project to enrich the biodiversity of the Banfield property, "Redman Farm", with Project Platypus funding.
The major earth works, apart from the Fire Wetlands, are almost completed, and the next stage has commenced - the growing and planting of wetland plants.
As the wetlands surrounds and ponds are planted out with indigenous plants, the habitat for animals and birds are being enriched.
The wetlands are designed to provide a series of various sized water bodies in close proximity. Some of the water bodies, including the larger lakes are deep and will provide permanent water. The majority of the 30 plus water bodies are designed to progressively dry out over the summer period. At the end of the summer season, some ponds will have small areas of water left, but an important factor in providing feeding areas for birds is the amount of mud flats that are exposed, or just under water.
Many Australian wetland plants have evolved over time to suit a pattern of wet and dry seasons and the receding of the shorelines. Animals, birds, small marsupials, lizards, and frogs benefit from this changing environment.
We are confident that as we are able to provide 'flora for fauna' there will be an increase in the number of species of birds and animals.
Currently we have recorded eight species of frogs including the endangered Growling Grass Frog. Frog numbers have increased dramatically, over the past year and we have noticed a number of new birds attracted by the wetlands.