Lake Elingamite is a marr volcano. Marr volcanoes occur where the ground is wet. The molten rock erupts through the wet rock and the high pressure steam blasts the surrounding rock into “ash”. Layers of ash were clearly visible along the entrance road.

Lake Elingamite has in the past, been heavily grazed, with the result that the original tree and shrub cover was lost. Over the past four years, some parts have had grazing removed, and trees and shrubs planted.

The lake is an excellent place for birds. Water birds are usually abundant, and the surrounding tree and shrub cover provides for smaller birds.

Thanks to Helen Langley for taking us to this interesting lake.

The birds recorded during the walk were:

Great Crested Grebe

Australian Shoveler

Willie Wagtail

Hoary-headed Grebe

Australian Wood Duck

Golden-headed Cisticola

Australian Pelican

Wedge-tailed Eagle

Superb Fairy Wren

Great Cormorant

Swamp Harrier

Brown Thornbill

White-faced Heron

Purple Swamphen

White-fronted Chat

Great Egret

Masked Lapwing

Silvereye

Australian White Ibis

Black-winged Stilt

House Sparrow

Straw-necked Ibis

Silver Gull

Red-browed Firetail

Pacific Black Duck

Long-billed Corella

Magpie

Grey Teal

Grey Fantail

Little Raven

Layers of volcanic ash (tuff) along the entrance road.

The trees and shubs have thrived. The dense cover is attractive to many species of bird. Records from early European visitors show that the area was originally densely vegetated.