Howard Park Leston Vineyard Bird Sanctuary

Since the development of Leston Vineyard began in 1995, the Burch family have maintained the philosophy to minimise the impact of viticultural practices on the natural environment and to endeavour to work in harmony with nature. Initially the land was turned from a pastoral property to a vineyard with parts of the land remaining nature reserves to provide habitat to the wildlife. One such area has become know as the Howard Park Leston Vineyard Bird Sanctuary.

When staying at the cottage at the Howard Park Leston Vineyard, the Burch’s noticed the bird life settling in a wetland area along the Wilyabrup waterway. With the onset of dusk the birds would perch themselves on a position in the large peppermint trees that bounded the creek line. Often Heron could be seen feeding in the creek bed and the cacophony of birds arriving and departing to this site continued to flourish.

So in 2003 Amy asked Dr Ian Rooke, professor of ornithology to monitor the population along the banks of the Wilyabrup waterway in an attempt to understand the inhabitants of the Bird Sanctuary. He identified 26 species including the Willy Wagtail, Silvereye, Brown Honeyeater, Grey Fantail, Purple Swamphen, Red Wattle Bird, Australian Magpie, Inland Thornbill, Maned Duck, Laughing Kookaburra and Grey Teal. There are also four species breeding, including the New Holland Honeyeater, Red Wattle Bird, Maned Duck and Coot.

Howard Park Wines aims to continue to grow our knowledge of the vineyard environment in a manner that is committed to the preservation of the areas unique wildlife, as well as enhancing visitor knowledge and enjoyment. The long term plan is to create a Bird Sanctuary that can be enjoyed by all visitors to the Howard Park winery

            
                 Swamp Hen                          Bridge over Wilyabrup                     White Herron