We recently discovered The Briars on Mornington Peninsula, and loved it...we also knew we would return to a nearby walk from The Briars to Mt Martha Beach, and see the Balcombe Estuary. The walk is known for eastern yellow robins and other lovely bush birds. We weren't disappointed.
The amount of infrastructure on the walk is very impressive - the wooden walkways really are extensive yet well maintained. Most of the walk is clearly signed. Much of it is very close to the creek, and among the impressive melaleuca trees. There is an audio trail named after the eastern yellow robin, though we preferred the silence. Being a Saturday, that silence was frequently interrupted by occasional gunshots from the clay target club, cheers from the sports ovals, and chatter from fellow walkers. None of that offends us - we like hearing people enjoy themselves. Lorikeets were plentiful in the early stages of our walk, then we enjoyed swallows darting hither and yon in the Nepean Highway underpass. Once we drew alongside the creek and access the generous landings, we could see waterbirds such as this cormorant. Grey shrike-thrushes were feasting on their afternoon snacks - and very unphased by our presence on the pathways. A real highlight of the walk was a rufous whistler in full-throated song - we just stood and enjoyed that concert for a few minutes. Shortly afterwards, we met a kookaburra who seemed to be regurgitating its lunch. At this point we had arrived back at the carpark, and we were gasping for a cuppa. Re-invigorated, we decided to add another two kilometres to our seven-plus tally so far - we headed into the Briars Wildlife Reserve to tackle the Wetlands walk. Birds were 'everywhere' - but an echidna and a koala were about, completely oblivious to us. Well, the koala was out for the count. A delightful day concluded with a full airshow of eastern rosellas - some having some territorial disputes, others simply surveying the majesty of their surroundings. Tired but happy, we headed for home.
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September 2024
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