COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (6)

Communication of Ducks!

On Friday we took our grand-daughter for a walk on the Dandenong Creek Trail starting from Wantirna Road. (More information on this section of the trail)

It was a cool but sunny day and she wanted to see the ducks.

We found a group of ducks plus some moorhens near the St David's Drive entrance to the trail.

Ducks usually congregate at this section of the creek especially as they know that passers-by might feed them. There were a number of other children also watching the ducks when we were there.

A white cockatoo in a nearby tree observed the passing parade.

A little further on two moorhens checked us out.

On the way back we stopped once more to watch the ducks. Before we arrived we heard a loud splash but the ducks were swimming around as normal when we arrived. Suddenly there was another splash as all the ducks disappeared under water at the same time. There was no obvious sign as to what instigated the dive but this manoeuvre was repeated about six times while we were there. Other passers-by stopped to watch and no-one had seen this behaviour before. Comments were made about synchronised duck diving!

When we went for another walk by this section of the creek on Sunday, ducks were in the same area swimming around contentedly.

Further along towards the footbridge near Armstrong Road we came across another group of ducks. A few were the brown ducks that normally frequent the creek but most of the ducks were a different breed that we had not seen in this area of the creek before.

We crossed the bridge and walked back on the other side of the creek. The ducks were still there but swimming in two groups. Suddenly one group of ducks took to the air and flew down the creek past the bridge. A few seconds later the second group did the same.

It would be interesting to know how ducks communicate so that they all respond to a situation, either diving sumultaneously or suddenly taking flight, at the same time.

See also other posts related to this topic:

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Walking on Shared Paths

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (1)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (2)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (3)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (4)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (5)

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COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (5)

Shepherds Bush

On the last Saturday in Autumn we decided to continue our exploration of the Dandenong Creek Trail by exploring Shepherds Bush.

Photo - Visit Shepherds Bush

We parked the car in carpark on High Street Road at the entrance to Shepherds Bush and then started exploring the path that included two boardwalks.

This was a most enjoyable walk through the bush.

The path ran next to the Dandenong Creek

providing many good views of the creek in a bush setting.

As with many of our recent walks it is often hard to believe that we are walking in an area in the suburbs of Melbourne. Because this path is narrow in places and unmade it is mainly used by pedestrians with few bikes encountered on this section of our walk. Cyclists use another of the paths in the park.

Shepherds Bush - Google Maps

Once through the bush we came to the main trail which ran beside farmland. A group of egrets was in one of the paddocks. A little further on we came to a gate leading to a conservation area and a path around the lake in Jells Park.

We used to visit Jells Park on many occasions when our sons were younger so it was a little like deja vu looking across the lake observing the many people enjoying the green park.

A little further on we saw a tree on small island covered with egrets.

Returning to the car we decided to take the bush path rather than the main trail. This proved to be a good decision as shortly after entering the path there was a commotion overhead as a flock of black cockatoos flew between the nearby trees. The Dandenong Trail through Shepherds Bush was another enjoyable walk.

See also other posts related to this topic:

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Walking on Shared Paths

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (1)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (2)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (3)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (4)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (6)

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COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (4)

Bushy Park
Recently we walked along the Koomba Park boardwalk and then crossed Burwood Highway (near Morack Road) at the lights to follow the Dandenong Creek Trail to Bushy Park.

Trail to Bushy Park - Google Maps

The trail took us past the skateboard ramp and the motorcross club as we skirted the Whitehorse Recycling and Waste Centre. Much of the walk was through bush until we came to open land near the entrance to Bushy Park. We shall explore Bushy Park on another occasion and also some of the smaller tracks we passed during the walk. The Dandenong Creek Trail through Bushy Park leads to Jells Park.

EastLink Trail to Blind Creek - Google Maps

On another occasion we left the Wantirna Reserve carpark and walked down Mountain Highway to Burwood Highway where we crossed at the lights. We then walked to the entrance of the EastLink Trail which we followed towards High Street Road. After crossing High Street Road we continued to follow the track past the Knox Waste Transfer Station and then branched off onto the Blind Creek path for a while before returning to the car.

Continuing along the EastLink Trail also leads to Jells Park. There are many paths for us to still explore.

NB: Today (26 May) was a perfect autumn day with bright blue sky and plenty of sunshine so we decided to drive to the entrance of Bushy Park Wetlands in High Street Road and walk back towards we entered the park two weeks ago. A short walk into the park took us past the wetlands.

A path led to the bird hide where we found a number of enthusiastic water birds including a variety of ducks and Eurasian coots. As soon as we approached the hide the birds enthusiastically swam towards us.

We then followed the path through the open parkland, passing some cattle grazing in a nearby paddock. When we arrived at the path leading to Burwood Highway we decided to climb the steps of a small steep hill. At the top there is a good view of the surrounding area. Following a path from the hill led to another track that we followed back to the main path near the recycling depot.

After a short walk back towards Bushy Park we turned right and walked down steps to another path which we followed until eventually coming to a small bridge, once again on the main track. Several other paths also lead back to the main track. Back in Bushy Park we strolled back to where we had parked the car.

Reference:

Bushy Park Wetlands and Dandenong Creek Trail - Tracks, trails and coasts near Melbourne

Burwood Walks No. 14 - Bushy Park Wetlands - Burwood Bulletin

See also other posts related to this topic:

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise
COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Walking on Shared Paths
COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (1)
COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (2)
COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (3)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (5)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (6)

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COVID-19 - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (3)

When the boys were younger we often went for a walk down to Dandenong Creek where we usually explored part of the Bayswater side of the creek. During the past two months we have had many walks on paths bordering this section of the creek, though we normally choose to walk on the gravel track on the Heathmont side to avoid cyclists who generally prefer the bitumen track that leads to Bayswater.

When these photos were taken we had had several days of rain so the creek was flowing freely. Immediately after the rain the water levels would have been much higher and the creek floods in some places. It is a very pretty area and after the rain and cooler weather it was very green.

When we walked down to the creek in the 1980s and early 1990s there were rocks in a few sections of the creek which the boys, of course, wanted to climb on and try to cross the creek without falling in. Much work has more recently gone into managing the creek and rocks, in some sections, have been placed at intervals causing small rapids.

Near Armstrong Road is a pedestrian bridge crossing the creek from the Bayswater side to the Heathmont side. Another pedestrian bridge crosses the creek before Wantirna Road.

On the Heathmont side of the creek there is also another path closer to the bank but after rain it is defintely too muddy to use.

The trail on the Heathmont side of the creek is generally steeper than the Bayswater path and passes through bush. Replanting is ongoing in some areas.

On the Bayswater side walkers pass paddocks with horses, some factories and the back of the cricket grounds of J W Manson Reserve. Parker Reserve is on the Heathmont side near the bridge (Armstrong Road Road end).

View looking towards the Dandenongs with the Bayswater track on the right and the unofficial lower path on the left.

As on other sections of the Dandenong Cteek Trail there is always birdlife. In the above photo a cormant surveys the water while two ducks swim pass. Many ducks live by the river and there are a number of locations where the ducks congregate waiting for a feed from tame humans. (More about the birds)

There are two small billabongs close to the main path on the Heathmont side (Wantirna Road end)

We normally park at the carpark off Wantirna Road before the bridge. There are a number of other entrances on to this section of the Dandenong Creek Trail including Armstrong Road, Rachelle Drive and Waldheim Road (opposite Stud Road) or Ridandic Drive (these two join before reaching the creek path). In the past I used to enjoy walking along the track off Waldheim Road, especially when the path meandered through pine trees which were sometimes inhabited with black cockatoos. I have not seen any black cockatoos recently.

The pedestrian bridge near Wantirna Road has been decorated with padlocks.

We have come to know this section of the Dandenong Creek Trail well. In the future we will explore the track as it heads towards Bayswater itself, then towards The Basin and beyond.

NB: This week we walked the section of the Dandenong Creek Trail from the bridge near Armstrong Road to Dorset Road.

Dandenong Creek Trail to Dorset Road (Melways)

From the late 1800s the land on the Bayswater side of the creek from Warrandyte Road towards Bayswater was farming - mainly orchards and market gardens while the land near Boronia was largely used for growing flowers.

The section of the creek from the bridge to just before Bayswater Road has been recently daylighted - pipes through which the creek had been diverted have been removed allowing the creek to flow freely. A sign along the path includes the statement that floods are natural. An information board refers to floods that had occurred in the past including in 1934 when flood levels reached 6.8 metres. This was why the project to divert the creek water underground was undertaken in the 1930s.

This section of the Dandenong Creek Trail passes the back of Bayswater Secondary College then continues behind Bayswater Park. An underpass / floodway leads to the other side of Bayswater Road. The path continues past Glen Park then meanders on to Dorset Road and another underpass leading to the continuation of the trail - a walk for another day. There are also paths to tributaries of Dandenong Creek including Tarralla Creek - the list of possibilities keeps expanding.

See also other posts related to this topic:

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise
COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Walking on Shared Paths

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (1)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (2)
COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (4)
COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (5)
COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (6)

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COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (2)

There are lots of options for walks along the Dandenong Creek Trail. One walk is to continue on the main path, past the Winton Wetlands, towards Koomba Park and Wantirna Reserve which you enter via the Boronia Road underpass.

Koomba Park, Wantirna - Google Maps

The main path through Koomba Park goes to Wantirna Reserve but there are also numerous other tracks that can be explored, particularly in dryer weather. As the alternative tracks are usually dirt tracks they can be muddy after heavy rain, especially when cyclists have ridden along them. One of the tracks goes past a billabong and bird hide and leads on to a wide path near the power lines.

Another path passing water and reeds leads to the beginning of the back track.

Koomba Park, Wantirna - Google Maps

At Wantirna Reserve there is a cricket ground and other sports facilities. The Australian Jazz Museum is also close by.

Koomba Park, Wantirna - Google Maps

Continuing past the sports grounds is another track leading to the long boardwalk which ends at Burwood Highway.

The boardwalk meanders beside the creek.

In this area new plants have recently been added to the bushland.

It is a peaceful place to walk and from time to time the sound of bellbirds can be heard.

There are also views of the Morack Public Golf Course.

In autumn, by the sides of the boardwalk masses of pink flowers grow.

There are a number of ways of doing this walk. We often park at Wantirna Road and then walk along the trail to Wantirna Reserve. On other occasions we park the car near the sports grounds and explore the boardwalk and some of the smaller walks.

See Also:

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Walking on Shared Paths

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (1)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (3)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (4)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (5)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (6)

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COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (1)

On a beautiful sunny autumn day last Monday we parked the car at the Wantirna Road car park near the bridge and walked along the Dandenong Creek Trail towards Boronia Road.

As we started walking down the path there was a great commotion overhead with a large flock of white cockatoos expressing their views about life. Much of the noise came from the gumtree ahead of us.

Cockatoos were having converstions within their specific group, with other groups of birds in the tree and with cockatoos flying backwards and forwards overhead. A raucous noise was the result.

A small group of cockatoos

On the banks of the creek water birds can often be seen looking for food, particularly after heavy rain.

On one occasion there were hundreds of water birds exploring the banks of the golf course side of the creek.

Heron

Along the Dandenong Creek Trail there are a number of small billabongs, usually inhabited by noisy frogs and insects hiding in the reeds. Ducks from the creek also visit theses water holes.

We continued our walk until we came to the Winton Wetlands.(Sites of Biological Significance) This area is a series of waterholes surrounded by bush with a path meandering through it.

Image: Friends of Dandenong Creek

It is a good place to enjoy a quiet walk away from the main walking track which can be busy at times.

Two months ago we wandered through the wetlands around five o'clock when a number of birds were returning to trees to roost.

Australian King Parrot

Heron

Back on the main trail we crossed the bridge to explore the other side of the creek. The gravel path on this side of the creek is not as busy as the track on the other side though there are still many people walking dogs or just going for a walk.

Heading towards Boronia Road there is a small paddock which in the warmer months contains a group of goats that recieve much attention from pasers-by.

Just before Boronia Road there is the entrance to Campbells Croft Reserve.

Having lived in Knox for more than more than forty years we had often passed the entrance to Campells Croft Reserve when driving down Boronia Road but had never visited the reserve. In the past few weeks we have visited and enjoyed the reserve several times.

This area was a small farm owned by the Campbell family and was acquired by the local council in the 1970s. Much of the reserve is open parkland where deciduous trees were planted, making an impressive site in autumn. There are, of course, areas of bushland and also rows of pine trees, often planted as windbreaks by early European settlers.

There are also views of the distant mountains from the park.

There are a number of paths through the bush section of the park - one leading back down to the creek path; another leading to a nearby street. Going into the street then turning right and right again takes you to Abbey Walk, another reserve. Abbey Walk can also be entered via the creek path. Both Campbells Croft and Abbey Walk are great spaces to relax and enjoy.

Part of the land in Abbey Walk was a vineyard once part of the property of L L Smith, an early resident of Vermont.

June 4: The weather was fine and sunny - a lovely day for a walk, though the temperature was only about 13 degrees celsius.

This splendid ibis was enjoying the sunshine

as was this heron.

We passed a project replanting vegetation near the the creek.

Further information:

Weekend Notes - Campbells Croft

Campbells Croft - history

Campbells Croft - photos of the reserve

Victorian Places - Vermont

Weekend Notes - Abbey Walk

Australian Dictionary of Biography - L L Smith

See also other posts related to this topic:

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise
COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Walking on Shared Paths

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (2)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (3)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (4)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (5)

COVID-19 Musings - Exercise - Dandenong Creek (6)

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