Mandurah & Environs
The Mountain Duck Trail
- Region: Mandurah & Environs
- Type:Canoeing
- Length:Various 8.5 - 26kms
- Start Point:Serpentine River
- Mountain Duck Guide (0.7Mb)
- Mountain Duck Map (0.6Mb)
The beautiful Mountain Duck lives mainly on large waterways and not on mountains as their name implies. This trail with its wide pools suits Mountain Ducks and they honk to show they are happy - no quacking noises for them! And why wouldn't they be happy? There is plenty of food for them in this location, with weed, algae and numerous insects and their larvae.
The Mountain Duck has a black bill, a glossy, greenish-black head and neck and a white colar around the base of its neck. The female has white around the eyes and bill, and both sexes have dark brown eyes. The breast is cinnamon brown, the belly is dark brown and the wings are multi-coloured. The plumage also has showy patches of white, rich chestnut and olive green. The legs and feet are dark grey.
The Mountain Duck Trail is shaped by the Serpentine River as it slithers its way from its headwaters about 7kms north-east of North Bannister, falls down the Scarp, snakes across flood plains, forms pools, backwaters and lakes and then twists before it disappears into the Peel Inlet.
If you want to experience "paddling karma", then the top end of this trail is for you with its expansive pools linked by short, scenic river sections which become racy in the wet seasons.
The shallowness of the pools means there are rarely any power boats; there will be just you, the birds, the bush, the sky and the sound of your paddle.
Paper barks, she oaks and river gums are to be found here, and there are extensive reed beds throughout the pools. In fact this area is held in such high esteem that sea kayakers undertake an annual pilrimage to enjoy its abundant natural charms. A bonus for them is that there is little urban intrusion.
However, even in this sublime area you have to be wary. The river level can rise considerably and has been seen to be at least one metre above the private bridge at eh northern end of the trail. Navigation may be difficult when pools are flooded and the water spreads onto adjacent land.
When you explore and enjoy this trail, please private and public property.
Content Source: Serpentine River Canoe Guide NO. 4, The Mountain Duck Trail
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