PENSHURST and district are renowned for springs, wetlands, creeks, stony rises and open paddocks, which provides an ideal habitat for the Latham’s (Japanese) Snipe.

Latham’s Snipe visit south-west Victoria from late Spring and through summer months, flying thousands of kilometres from Siberia and Japan every year.

Wet paddocks provide sanctuary and habitat for these birds and our region is critical to its survival as a species.

In a dry year such as this, these areas become even more important.

The Friends of Yatmerone volunteer group have identified areas within and around Penshurst where the Snipe visits, but aim to identify more sites with help from landowners and managers.

Mapping these areas can help with their survival, and offers a greater understanding of this remarkable bird.

Recently the Friends were awarded a Victorian Landcare Grant to record wetland birds and their habitat (both current and historical) around Penshurst and district, funded by the Victorian Government and supported by the Glenelg Hopkins CMA. 

With the help of the Mt Rouse and District Historical Society, the Friends of Yatmerone group will be collecting stories from the community about the history of waterbirds in the district, culminating with a community event on the topic.

Anyone who knows of current Snipe habitat sites or remembers previous Snipe habitat sites, or other wetland birds including Brolgas, was encouraged to contact hamiltondistrictslandcare@gmail.com