Nature reserve proves popular with tourists

Nature reserve proves popular with tourists

Growing numbers of intrastate and interstate visitors are calling at the Lake McIntyre nature reserve at Millicent. Lake McIntyre Management Committee chairperson Sheila Boyle said the increase had occurred over the past five months.

She has attributed the additional interest to one bird species which frequents the lake in a former quarry. “Many heard of the large amount of Royal Spoonbill birds nesting at the lake and photographers came from everywhere,” Ms Boyle said.

“There has in the last little while been visitors from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland along with some staying another day or two from the Adelaide area. “During the Christmas period various groups booked in for a barbecue including church groups, local clubs, family and work groups etc. “The Lake McIntyre Management Committee hosted a barbecue for volunteers and partners recently and a total of 22 were able to attend.”

Ms Boyle said the ban on dogs was strictly enforced as there were eight resident Swamp Wallabies as well as the Masked Lapwing bird called “Miles” who was banded by Adrian Boyle as a chick, 22 years ago. “We do have a donation box up near the top two barbecues and visitors are very generous,” she said.

“We even had a note posted in the box, from people visiting from the Grampians, thanking volunteers for the time and effort they put in to make Lake McIntyre a credit to Millicent. “We do a regular monthly bird count which this month coincided with our tri-yearly Lathams Snipe count of which 11 were recorded.

“A total of 51 species of birds were sighted which is a large number. “Our two resident swans and their growing cygnet are proving very popular with adults and children alike.

“The volunteers have started painting Osborne Hut and the outdoor tables. “Our group is very safety conscious with the work carried out and we have avoided any accidents. “We recently had a visit to Lake McIntyre from an interstate city visitor who was checking Millicent out with the idea of relocating.

“The visitor was impressed with the friendliness of the people and the close proximity to the ocean. We suggested she visit the ‘back’ beach and pointed her in the right direction to Canunda National Park.”

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