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The reserve is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. The walk passes through several different habitats, each with their own diverse community. Water is key to this biodiversity. The streams and dams along Blacks Creek rise and fall throughout the year. This fluctuation is normal and favours different plants and animals at different times of year. You may see kangaroos, water birds and birds of prey. Be on the lookout for tiny wildflowers and insects too. They are all part of this rich ecosystem.  

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The Mackinnon Nature Reserve is on the lands of the Wadawurrung People. The creek is a culturally sensitive area and is important to Traditional Owners. They have cared for this landscape for thousands of years. 

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**Please help us protect this special place** 

* Don’t approach or feed wildlife. Let’s enjoy them in their natural environment.
* Please take any rubbish with you. 
* Keep to the path and look out for the track markers. The markers correspond to the notes below. 

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**The track is 2.6km long.** Allow an hour or more to complete the walk but don’t rush. There is so much to explore and discover.

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*The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Mackinnon Nature Reserve and Mooramong, the Wadawurrung people. We pay our respects to their Elders, both past and present, and acknowledge their continuing connections to land, waters, and community.*

Mooramong - Lower Dams Nature Walk

Start/End Trail here

South Gate Entrance

As you walk over the dam wall look below for the old sheep wash. This was built in the 1880’s. Sheep were herded through here and washed before shearing. Workers would stand in the water to rub and squeeze the wool to remove contaminants.  

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There are some beautiful examples of Blackwood growing here today. Look for their dark green foliage and creamy flowers in spring. Also growing in the depression are Silver Banksia’s, with their distinctive flower cones.

The Sheep Wash

Most of the birds here drift across the deep water and feed on floating algae and plants. Common species include coots, ducks, grebes and swans.   

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Wading birds feed on crayfish, mussels, worms, and other invertebrates along the shoreline. Species you may see here include herons, spoonbills and ibis.  

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Looking to the west you can see the shearing shed.

Dam view

Tall grasses thrive in this flat, moist area. The most common grass here is Phalaris. This was introduced from the Mediterranean to provide pasture for stock. It grows vigorously in well-watered areas but tends to smother native vegetation. Its vigorous growth dries off in summer which can be a fire risk. 

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Birds are the most conspicuous creatures here. Look for Cisticolas, Little Grass Birds and Welcome Swallows. You might even see a Black-Shouldered Kite hovering above.   

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Also look amongst the grass for crickets, grasshoppers and butterflies. These are important food sources for other animals. In the wetter areas you may hear various frog calls.

Tall Grasses

The trees here are typical of the Stony Rises Woodlands. These include Drooping She-Oak, Silver Banksia, Sweet Bursaria, Blackwood, and Tree Violet. These trees flower at different times of the year. They provide important pollen and nectar to birds, mammals and insects. Their fruit includes berries, pods and cones, providing a variety of foods. Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoos love feasting on the She-Oak cones.  

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In the heat of summer, you might see Eastern Grey Kangaroos resting under the shade of these trees.

Flowering trees

From here you can also see larger canopy trees. These are Blue Gums and Radiata Pines. They are not native to the area but now provide valuable nesting and viewing spots for birds of prey. Look for Whistling Kites, Brown Falcons, Wedge-tailed Eagles or Peregrine Falcons passing through. It is quite common to see Magpies and Corellas harass these birds of prey as they soar past looking for food.

Mooramong - Lower Dams Nature Walk

Start/End Trail here

Tall Grasses

The Sheep Wash

Dam view

Flowering trees

Canopy trees

Dam view