Localities such as the Creery Wetlands are recognised under International Agreements as key habitats for migratory waders. To the West is the Darling Range with its diverse Jarrah forest flora and habitat for native birds.

Bird life is abundant in Mandurah and the Peel Region which make it a perfect location for bird watchers and nature lovers. The bird life around the Estuary is just as impressive. Over 100 different species of native and migratory birds nest, breed and feed on the estuary.

The Peel-Harvey Estuary is classified as a Wetland of International Importance in 1990 by the Ramsar Convention.

Some of the best places to observe water birds are between the two Mandurah bridges on the shores, amongst the marshes and on the islands of the Peel Inlet. Here you will see waterbirds feeding, Darter, cormorants, yellow-billed Spoonbill amongst others.

Find our insider tips below for some of the best birdwatching spots in Mandurah:

Mandurah Estuary

Between the two Mandurah bridges the shores, marshes and islands of Peel Inlet provide excellent opportunities to observe waterbirds feeding. Get your binoculars and watch out for Darter, Cormorants, Yellow-billed Spoonbill (occasionally Royal Spoonbill) and Blackwinged.

Mandurah Harbour & Dolphin Pool

These are good areas to observe Caspian, Crested and Fairy Tern. In summer among the waders are Bar-tailed Godwit, Eastern Curlew, Ruddy Turnstone, Australian Pied Oystercatcher and Grey Plover.

Directions:

Travel to Dolphin Drive, Mandurah

Len Howard Conservation Park

The park contains 60 hectares of bush on the north western shore of Peel Inlet and features a nature trail (Erskine nature trail) with boardwalks over wetlands.

Birds you may see on your walk include:

• Splendid Wren
• Black-face Cuckoo-shrike
• Willie Wagtail
• Grey Fantail
• Golden Whistler

Waterbirds you may see on your walk:

• White-faced Heron
• Black Swan
• Royal Spoonbill
• Darter
• Little Pied Cormorant
• Pied Oyster Catcher

Directions:

Travel to Len Howard Drive, Mandurah

Coodanup and Creery Wetlands

One of the Peel Yalgorup Wetlands System’s must-see spots is the Creery Wetlands, made up of a 29-hectare nature reserve that’s connected with a series of boardwalks and pathways enabling you to enjoy this unique ecosystem where over 130 different species of native and migratory birds have been spotted. Pelicans, the rare red tail black cockatoo, black swans and osprey breed and nest here.

From the shore you can see Boundary Island, a nesting place for Fairy Tern. The bay inshore of Creery Island supports large numbers of Bar-tailed Godwit, Eastern Curlew, Great Knot, Banded Stilt and Pacific Australian White Ibis and Yellow-billed Spoonbill who come here to feed from nearby breeding colonies.

Samphire Cove is part of the 29 hectare Creery Wetlands and is on the edge of the Peel Inlet. There are walking trails, information shelters and viewing huts and platforms for enthusiastic birdwatchers. The saltmarsh and shallow waters are an important roosting and feeding area for waterbirds and shorebirds which migrate to the Mandurah area every year from Northern Asia and Alaska.

Our tip:

Salt and Bush Eco Tours’ speciality bird trips can be land or water-based (from foot peddled kayaks) along the Ramsar protected wetlands of the Peel Harvey Estuary and Yalgorup Lakes – a truly unique way to birdwatch.

Directions:

Travel one kilometre east towards Pinjarra. Turn south along Wanjeep Street to Peel Inlet (Coodanup).

Lake Goegrup & Black Lake

These lakes are important waterbird feeding and breeding areas. You’ll find red-necked Avocet there throughout the year. Black Lake is a winter habitat for large flocks of Musk Duck.

Directions:

Follow Gordon Road to Lakes, Patterson and Dunkerton Roads.

Header image by Karyn Ellis