7. Riverside Gardens and Reserve Goegrup Lake waterbirds, walk along the sandy shore to the south for a couple The boardwalks to the North lead to the Serpentine River of kilometres. After that it can get a bit muddy. There are two and the edge of Goegrup small low off-shore islands that host a variety of birds including Lake, which hosts a number Red-necked Avocets from around November an throughout of waterbirds, mostly Ducks, summer. Egrets, Herons, Spoonbills and Turn west off Forrest Highway at Herron Point Rd and follow it to Ibis. In addition there are often the estuary. Peel Inlet & Harvey Estuary Red-necked Avocets and Black- 11. South Yunderup winged Stilts. Nankeen Night- A walk path around the embankment of the artificial lake or herons may be seen roosting in Impoundment gives a good view of the water and the birds. To the trees on the river bank. The Water & Shorebirds Eastern Osprey the south at low tide a variety of shorebirds can be seen feeding Reserve along the river is also in the shallows or on the mats of algae in the estuary. In addition, host to a number of bush-birds and the walk South may yield over 3,000 Black Swans have been seen a bit further out in the many of these including the Sacred Kingfisher, a summer visitor estuary, and a number are frequently seen on the waters of the that breeds here. Impoundment. It is a popular walk for the local residents. Access from the carpark off Wanda Rd, Greenfields Access from Wellya Cresent crn Tanderra Pl, South Yunderup. Birdwatching 8. Greenfields Billabong A 500 metre walk upstream brings you to a bird hide overlooking a billabong often frequented by Black-winged stilts, Ducks and Walking Trail Guide Egrets. Continue following the trail upstream through Urban bushland for a pleasant nature walk. Access from the end of Old Pinjarra Rd, Greenfields 9. Island Point A walking trail along the southern shore meanders through the bush to a board walk and viewing platform, with an Osprey nesting pole nearby. There have been sightings of up to 2,000 Ducks on the water here, mostly Grey Teal, with a Fairy Tern This guide was compiled by the Canoe Trail Friends of Mandurah smattering of others. A range and Pinjarra Inc. a non-profit organisation run by volunteers who of other waterbirds frequent the area and Black-winged Stilts advocate awareness of and protection for water and shorebirds of and Pied Oystercatchers nest on the small island just off-shore. the Peel Estuary. A number of raptors are often seen particularly Whistling Kites, Eastern Osprey, Swamp Harrier, Little Eagle and White-bellied We wish to acknowledgement the sponsorship of Sea-eagle, with Wedge-tails in the distance. These birds are (Peel Harvey Catchment Council) 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 10. Herron Point on local waterways. The water between Herron Point The Canoe Trail Friends of Mandurah and Pinjarra Inc. does not and Island Point is relatively accept any responsibility or liabiliy for any loss, injury or death, shallow, and was frequently damage, liability, cost or expense that may be suffered sustained used as a ford to cross the or incurred by any person relying on any aspect of this guide or estuary. With proper directions making use of any trail named or described herein. it is still crossable on foot at Inquiries: low tide, and at least one local bushwalking group make the http://canoetrailfriendsofmandurahandpinjarra.myclub.org.au © Canoe Trail Friends of Mandurah and Pinjarra Inc. crossing in summer most years. Printed April 2016. However for viewing shore and Little Egret

The waters of the Peel Ibises, Spoonbills, Ducks, Egrets, Terns and a variety of Inlet, Harvey Estuary and Cormorants, Terns, Grebes, Ducks that breed in adjacent accompanying rivers and lakes, Pelicans, Swans and a few lakes. Dogs are excluded from or for simplicity “the estuary” others are not shorebirds but the area as they are extremely are world renowned. Its not only simply waterbirds. disruptive to the birds. people that think its great here, Birdwatching Trails Located at the end of Johns St, but also the abundant wildlife. Coodanup. It is an important breeding What you see in any of these ground and nursery, for fish, areas will vary depending on 4. Samphire Cove crabs and prawns and a haven Black-winged Stilts season, weather, time of day Red-necked Avocet From either of the two hides Red-necked Stint for birds that thrive on the small and the tides. High tides can (around 0.5km apart) you may fish, shellfish, snails, worms and insects that inhabit and breed make spotting wading birds difficult as they generally roost in see a variety of shore and waterbirds amongst the exposed around the shoreline and throughout the estuary. protected places until low tide when they will commence feeding rocks, and on the opposite bank. Most commonly seen are: Grey on exposed areas. The most frequently encountered birds are One of the most astounding aspects of the bird life here is the Plovers, Whimbrels, Eastern Curlews, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, mentioned, but there are often surprises that make a visit to any Bar-tailed Godwits and Greenshanks. presence of migratory shorebirds (waders). It is these shorebirds or all the sites even more special. that bird enthusiasts from all over Australia and the world come Access gate at the cnr of Egret Pt and Wedgetail Rt, Halls Head. 1. Soldiers Cove to see. Some of these birds fly up to 25,000 km each year to 5. Mandurah Quay and Osprey Waters breed in the Northern Hemisphere, mostly in the Arctic Tundra. This is a good walk to orientate yourself because you can see They fly here in their thousands in spring and leave again in other birding areas upstream, and you can gauge the height There is frequently a range of shore and waterbirds here autumn. of the tide. The tides will be similar in the Creery wetlands, including the endangered Fairy Tern. The Len Howard bird-hide can be accessed on foot from here, its about one km south The estuary is a vital site for Samphire Cove and Len along the edge of the estuary. them to rest and feed, here Howard Conservation Park. Access from the carpark at the end of Marina Quay Dr, Erskine. they can recuperate from their However other areas around the long flight and replenish their estuary will have different water One of the major features in the area is an Eastern Osprey nest, reserves in readiness for the levels. which was successfully relocated to a pole and platform, with a return trip. Without undisturbed Egrets, Pelicans, Ducks, Black breeding pair raising between one to three chicks each year. rest and feeding time these Swans, Terns and Silver Gulls Access from carpark opposite Vixen Cl, Erskine - Follow the birds would not be able to often rest here. With low tides pathway. complete this arduous migration. exposing expanses of mud or Mixed Shorebirds A second nesting pole recently erected in the new residential Therefore it is imperative sand shorebirds such as Stilts, Eastern Great Egret development of Osprey Waters has attracted the interest of a that there are areas in the estuary where birds are safe from Godwits, and Greenshanks can pair of Ospreys, to soon to confirm breeding activity. disturbance. Every effort should be made by individuals, groups, be attracted to the area. Whimbrels and Eastern Curlews are commerce, Government and other organisations to protect these frequently seen here between October and March. Access from Egret Point or Breakwater Bvd, Erskine birds and the unique environment they share with us. In doing so Access from the Mandurah foreshore, or Soldiers Cove Terrace 6. Len Howard Conservation Park it will benefit the local water birds that live here as they are just Dudley Park. as reliant on the special attributes of the estuary, and are also The hide is adjacent to the entrance of a small cove and the very vulnerable at various times e.g. nesting and moulting. 2. Creery Wetlands protected waters provide refuge for a number of shore and water This pamphlet will guide you around the estuary to the most This can be a prime shorebird observation area, with larger birds, plus the exquisite and endangered Fairy Tern, a summer easily accessed land based birds such as the Eastern Curlew and Whimbrel often seen, plus visitor that comes here to breed. An Eastern Osprey nesting pole places where you may simply Bar-tailed Godwits, Greenshanks, Black-winged Stilts, Sharp- erected nearby has so far been ignored. There are however two walk and view, from hides in tailed and Curlew Sandpipers, and numerous Black Swans active natural Eastern Osprey nests visible from the trail. some locations, local, nomadic along with large numbers and varieties of Ducks. Other birds can The carpark at the end of an unsealed road off Glendart Ct, Erskine, provides access to a short nature trail walk and a longer and migratory birds or simply include Eastern Great and Little Egrets, Yellow-billed Spoonbills, walk via Erskine walking track to enjoy the natural environment. Australian White Ibis and a bird-hide (2km) return. Shorebird or Waterbird White-faced Herons. Access from Darwin Tce cnr of It is possible to walk along Waterbirds are basically birds Mariners Cove Dr, Dudley Park. virtually continuous tracks from Len Howard to Samphire Cove, that are mostly seen feeding, Bar-tailed Godwit breeding or resting in or 3. Johns St Reserve taking in Mandurah Quay and Osprey Waters on the way. around water. The shorebirds are a specific genetic grouping This is often the first port of Total distance from Len Howard of waterbirds, comprising of the Sandpipers and Plovers, within call for visitors wishing to see Carpark to first Bird hide at which there are sub-groups such as the Stilts, Avocets, Stints, a good number and variety of Samphire Cove - one way approx Godwits, Curlews, Dotterels and Lapwings. The Egrets, Herons, shorebirds, as well as Pelicans, Eastern Curlew 5.5 km. Whimbrel ad d o

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Eastern Great Egret Friends of Mandurah and Pinjarra Inc. Trail walk- Canoe Wetlands Photos: - Courtesy R Wroth. Australasian Darter