Banjo Frog (Pobblebonk)
Running Marsh Flower
Willow Road / Pobblebonk Reserve
Willow Road Reserve is 4.05 hectares in area and lies between Willow Road and McClelland Drive in Langwarrin. Although it is owned and managed by Frankston Council a large part of the reserve falls within the Frankston Bypass route, which has the potential to divide the Reserve in two. This reserve is an important link to Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve.
There are two wetlands within the reserve. One of these will be destroyed if the road is built and the other could be drained if the hydrology of the area is not fully understood. During this summer's long period without rain, these two wetlands still had water in them. They are perched wetlands in a sandy dune system, which means that where the dune dips below the water table a wetland forms. The wetlands are in good condition with little weed invasion.
Flora
There are 123 indigenous plants in the reserve, 34 of these are of regional significance. There are 6 different vegetation communities within the reserve, two are woodlands and four are wetland communities some of these being endangered in the bioregion. One of the wetland communities is home to the beautiful orchid, Austral Ladies' Tresses, Spiranthes australis. The combination of wetlands and heathy woodlands means there is a high diversity of plants, which in turn supports a wide range of fauna.
The woodlands consist of an upper storey of eucalypts, a fairly intact mid storey of shrubs and groundcover of bracken and small shrubs. The ground layer is a bit open, but with lots of fallen timber it supports a diverse range of small mammals and reptiles. The wetlands are fringed by swamp paperbark and reed beds. Many of the larger mature trees in the reserve have hollows suitable for nesting birds or possums.
Fauna
There are 63 bird species within the reserve, eleven mammals, seven reptiles and seven frog species have been recorded. The woodland is likely to also support colonies of bats. The nationally significant Growling Grass Frog and state significant Royal Spoonbill, Great Egret and Nankeen Night Heron have all been recorded in the reserve. There is a locally significant population of Haswell's Froglet in the wetlands and the presence of Pobblebonk frogs in the reserve has led to a name change.
Access and things to do
Access to this reserve is either via Willow Road or from McClelland Drive. Although this is only a relatively small reserve and has no real walking paths, it is a nice area for birdwatching and of course wetlands at any time of the year are interesting to explore.
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