7. Riverside Gardens Reserve and Goegrup Lake However for Viewing Shore and Waterbirds, Walk Along the Sandy Shore to the South for a Couple of Kilometres
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7. Riverside Gardens Reserve and Goegrup Lake However for viewing shore and waterbirds, walk along the sandy shore to the south for a couple of kilometres. After that it can get The boardwalks to the North a bit muddy. There are two small low off-shore islands that host lead to the Serpentine River a variety of birds including Red-necked Avocets from around and the edge of Goegrup November and throughout summer. Lake, which hosts a number of waterbirds, mostly Ducks, Turn west off Forrest Highway at Herron Point Rd and Egrets, Herons, Spoonbills follow it to the estuary. and Ibis. In addition there are often Red-necked Avocets and 11. South Yunderup Blackwinged Stilts. Nankeen A walking path around the embankment of the artifi cial lake or Nightherons may be seen Impoundment gives a good view of the water and the birds. To the roosting in the trees on the river south at low tide a variety of shorebirds can be seen feeding in the bank. The Reserve along the shallows or on the mats of algae in the estuary. In addition, over river is also host to a number of 3,000 Black Swans have been seen a bit further out in the bush-birds and the walk South may yield many of these including estuary, and a number are frequently seen on the waters of the the Sacred Kingfi sher, a summer visitor that breeds here. Goegrup Impoundment. It is a popular walk for the local residents. Lake boardwalks due to be replaced in 2021. Access from Wellya Cresent, South Yunderup. Access from the carpark off Wanda Rd, Greenfi elds 8. Greenfi elds Billabong A 500 metre walk upstream brings you to a bird hide overlooking a billabong often frequented by Black-winged stilts, Ducks and Egrets. Continue following the trail upstream through Urban bushland for a pleasant nature walk. Access from the end of Old Pinjarra Rd, Greenfi elds 9. Island Point A walking trail along the southern shore meanders through the bush to a board This guide was compiled as a community project by the Mandurah walk and viewing platform, with Environment and Heritage Group, and the Canoe Trail Friends of an Osprey nesting pole nearby. Mandurah and Pinjarra a non-profi t organisation run by volunteers There have been sightings of who advocate awareness of and protection for water and up to 2,000 Ducks on the water here, mostly Grey Teal, with a shorebirds of the Peel Estuary. smattering of others. A range of other waterbirds frequent the area and Black-winged Stilts and Pied Oystercatchers nest on the small island just off-shore. We wish to acknowledge the sponsorship of the Peel Trails Group. A number of raptors are often seen particularly Whistling Kites, Eastern Osprey, Swamp Harrier, Little Eagle and White-bellied Sea-eagle, with Wedge-tails in the distance. These birds are very mobile and can be seen anywhere around the estuary. Other free publications are eight Canoe Guides and three canoe End of Island Point Rd, Herron. guide companions that promote the use of recreational canoe trails on local waterways. 10. Herron Point The Mandurah Environment and Heritage Group does not accept The water between Herron any responsibility or liabiliy for any loss, injury or death, damage, Point and Island Point is liability, cost or expense that may be suffered sustained or incurred relatively shallow, and was by any person relying on any aspect of this guide or making use of frequently used as a ford to any trail named or described herein. cross the estuary. With proper directions it is still crossable on foot at low tide, and at least Enquiries: Mandurah Environment and Heritage Group Inc. one local bushwalking group W: MEHG.org.au E: [email protected] © January 2021 Edition make the crossing in summer . most years. o or r rg.a g.a u The waters of the Peel Inlet, Harvey Estuary Birdwatching Trails 4. Samphire Cove Nature Reserve and accompanying rivers and lakes, or “the estuary” What you see in any of these From either of the two hides are world renowned. areas will vary depending (around 0.5km apart) you It’s not only people that think on season, weather, time may see a variety of shore it’s great here, but also the of day and the tides. High and waterbirds amongst the abundant wildlife. It is an tides can make spotting exposed rocks and on the important breeding ground wading birds diffi cult as they opposite bank. and nursery, for fi sh, crabs generally roost in protected Most commonly seen are: and prawns and a haven for places until low tide when the critically endangered birds that thrive on the small they will commence feeding Eastern Curlews, Grey fi sh, shellfi sh, snails, worms on exposed areas. The most Red-necked Avocet Plovers, Whimbrels, Sharp- and insects that inhabit and frequently encountered birds tailed Sandpipers, Bar-tailed Red-necked Stint breed around the shoreline and are mentioned, but there are often surprises that make a visit to Godwits and Greenshanks. Black-winged Stilts any or all the sites even more special. throughout the estuary. Signage is a feature in the hides and on the One of the most astounding aspects of the bird life here is the 1. Soldiers Cove 1.5 Km All-Abilities Interpretive Trail. presence of migratory shorebirds (waders). It is these shorebirds Access gate cnr of Egret Pt and Wedgetail Rt, Halls Head. that bird enthusiasts from all over Australia and the world come to This is a good walk to orientate yourself because you can see other birding areas upstream, and you can gauge the height of see. Some of these birds fl y up to 25,000 km each year to breed 5. (a) Mandurah Quay in the Northern Hemisphere, mostly in the Arctic Tundra. They fl y the tide. The tides will be similar in the Creery wetlands, Samphire here in their thousands in spring and leave again in autumn. Cove and Len Howard Conservation Park. However other areas There is frequently a range of shore and waterbirds here including around the estuary will have the endangered Fairy Tern. The Len Howard bird-hide can be The estuary is a vital site for different water levels. accessed on foot from here, it’s about one km south along the them to rest and feed. Here edge of the estuary. they can recuperate from Egrets, Pelicans, Ducks, their long fl ight and replenish Black Swans, Terns and Access from the carpark at the end of Marina Quay Dr, Erskine. Silver Gulls often rest here. their reserves in readiness 5. (b). Osprey Waters for the return trip. Without With low tides exposing undisturbed rest and feeding expanses of mud or sand One of the major features in the area is the two Eastern time these birds would not be shorebirds such as Stilts, Osprey Nesting poles. A nest was successfully relocated able to complete this arduous Godwits, and Greenshanks to the southern pole at the Mandurah Quay end of the area migration. Therefore it is can be attracted to the area. with a breeding pair regularly successfully raising between imperative that there are areas Whimbrels and Eastern one to three chicks. Eastern Great Egret in the estuary where birds Mixed Shorebirds Curlews are frequently seen Eastern Ospreys built a nest in the second pole which is close to are safe from disturbance. here between October and March. the Osprey Waters non-powered launch site and chicks have been Every effort should be made by individuals, groups, commerce, Access from the Mandurah foreshore, or Soldiers Cove Terrace Dudley Park. raised here as well. Government and other organisations to protect these birds and the Access from Vixen Cl. or Breakwater Bvd. or Egret Point, Erskine. unique environment they share with us. In doing so it will benefi t 2. Creery Wetlands the local water birds that live here as they are just as reliant on the This can be a prime shorebird observation area, with larger 6. Len Howard special attributes of the estuary, and are also very vulnerable at birds such as the Eastern Curlew and Whimbrel often seen, plus Conservation Park various times e.g. nesting and moulting. Bar-tailed Godwits, Greenshanks, Black-winged Stilts, Sharp- tailed and Curlew Sandpipers, and numerous Black Swans The hide is adjacent to the This pamphlet will guide you around the estuary to the most easily entrance of a small cove and accessed land based places where you may simply walk and view, along with large numbers and varieties of Ducks. Other birds can include Eastern Great and Little Egrets, Yellow-billed Spoonbills, the protected waters provide from hides in some locations, local, nomadic and migratory birds refuge for a number of shore or simply enjoy the natural environment. Australian White Ibis and White-faced Herons. and water birds, plus the Access from Darwin Tce cnr of Mariners Cove Dr, Dudley Park. exquisite and endangered Shorebird or Waterbird Fairy Tern, a summer visitor Waterbirds are basically birds 3. John Street that comes here to breed. that are mostly seen feeding, Reserve There is also an Eastern Whimbrel breeding or resting in or This is often the fi rst port of around water. The shorebirds Osprey nesting pole nearby. call for visitors wishing to see The carpark at the end of an unsealed road off Glendart Ct, Erskine, are a specifi c genetic grouping a good number and variety of waterbirds, comprising of provides access to a short nature trail walk and a longer walk via of shorebirds, as well as Erskine walking track to a bird-hide (2km) return.