Jerringot Wetland

Jerringot is a Wadawurrung word that means ‘water all around’ or ‘place of billabongs’ and was a camping ground and meeting place of Wadawurrung people.

Located within Belmont Common, this important wetland habitat is carefully managed to help preserve the large number of species that call it home.

If water is plentiful in spring and summer, it becomes a very active breeding and nesting site for waterbirds.

About this wetland
This wetland is a stormwater-fed, freshwater marsh consisting of two main wetland areas, and is linked to the Barwon River floodplain. Even though it is a modified wetland, it still has very high environmental value.

What to look for
Over 120 species of birds visit or live at this wetland through the year.

Internationally significant waterbirds that have been recorded at this wetland include: 
Latham’s Snipe – these birds migrate over 8000km from Japan and can be found in good numbers during spring and summer
Australian Shoveler
Baillon’s Crake
Caspian Tern
Cattle Egret
Great Egret
Hardhead
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Jerringot is one of only six places in Victoria where the Australian Mudfish is found.

The wetland is also home to: 
Common Galaxias
Spotted Galaxias 
Short-finned Eel

The wetland contains 12 plant species that are considered regionally significant including: 
Common Nardoo 
Water Plantain
The river-side of the wetland is fringed by: 
River Red-gum
River Bottlebrush 
Teatree 
Tangled Lignum
 

What to listen for
Listen for the call of the endangered Growling Grass Frog. Its growl lasts about one second and sounds like ‘crawark-crawark-crok-crok’.

Things to do
Take your binoculars and spend some time in the bird observation hide at the front of the car park (on the entrance road to Barwon Valley Golf Club).